UASA Media Release: 12 August 2025
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
UASA expresses deep concern over the increasing official unemployment rate, which has risen from 32.9% in the first quarter to 33.2% in the second quarter of the year. The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Stats SA highlights that this figure reflects the harsh reality faced by families and communities struggling with unemployment.
According to the report, the number of unemployed individuals has increased by 140,000, reaching 8.4 million. In contrast, the number of employed people has seen only a slight rise of 19,000, bringing the total to 16.8 million. This unfortunate trend underscores the significant economic challenges in South Africa, as job creation is not keeping pace with rising unemployment.
While the number of discouraged job seekers has decreased by 28,000, the number of people who are not economically active for reasons other than discouragement has remained unchanged between the first and second quarters. This has resulted in a total decline of 28,000 in the economically inactive population, now at 16.6 million.
However, the reality is that more South Africans are actively seeking work yet remain unable to secure adequate employment. The persistently high unemployment rate exacerbates the country’s growing inequality and contributes to rising crime rates. Millions of South Africans continue to be excluded from meaningful economic participation, ultimately weakening the economy and placing additional strain on working-class citizens.
It is unacceptable that millions of citizens remain locked out of the economy year after year. We call for collective action to address the high levels of unemployment, urging the government and stakeholders to consider investment policies that can promote industrialisation and stimulate economic growth at a rate sufficient to create enough jobs for our citizens.
With the advent of artificial intelligence and technological advancements, we must proactively tackle these challenges. If we fail to act now or consider future prospects, we risk being left behind rapidly.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.