13 August 2025
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) notes with concern the findings of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2025, which shows an increase in the country’s official unemployment rate. According to Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate rose to 33.2% during this period.
The QLFS for the second quarter of 2025 shows that employment rose slightly by 19 000 to 16.8 million, while unemployment increased by 140 000 to 8.4 million. This pushed the official unemployment rate up from 32.9% to 33.2%. The number of discouraged work-seekers fell by 0.8%, and the total not economically active population dropped by 28 000 to 16.6 million. The expanded unemployment rate decreased slightly from 43.1% to 42.9%.
The high unemployment rate is a big setback for the country’s economy and many households. It makes life harder for families, increases poverty and inequality, and slows down economic growth.
To reduce unemployment, the country needs to create more job opportunities, support small businesses, improve skills training, and encourage investment. Everyone benefits when more people have decent jobs, because it builds a stronger economy and a better future for all.
With the upcoming National Dialogue, FEDUSA demands that it must produce actionable outcomes on employment creation, decent work, and wage progression, written into a national compact with timelines, deliverables, and accountability mechanisms.
While FEDUSA acknowledges the slight rise in the employment rate, the increase in the official unemployment rate show that job creation remains a major challenge for South Africa.
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