UASA Media Release: 29 September 2026
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson for the trade union UASA:
The latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) highlights the ongoing challenges facing South Africa’s labour market, with formal non-agricultural employment declining by 14,000 jobs during the second quarter of 2026. Employment fell from 10.439 million in March to 10.425 million in June, reflecting continued economic strain across key sectors of the economy.
The report shows that the country’s formal sector remains under pressure, with significant job losses recorded in manufacturing, business services, trade and transport. Manufacturing experienced the largest decline, shedding 20,000 jobs, followed by business services (-13,000), trade (-8,000) and transport (-5,000). These losses were only partially offset by gains in community services, which added 29,000 jobs, while construction, mining and electricity each recorded modest increases of 1,000 jobs.
On an annual basis, formal employment declined by 95,000 jobs, representing a 0.9% contraction between June 2025 and June 2026.
The data further reveals a shift in the nature of employment opportunities. Full-time employment decreased by 40,000 jobs during the quarter, falling to 9.33 million employees, while part-time employment increased by 26,000 jobs to reach 1.095 million. This trend suggests growing reliance on more flexible and often less secure forms of work.
The employment figures come against a backdrop of rising unemployment and slowing economic activity. South Africa’s unemployment rate increased to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, while youth unemployment reached a concerning 47.4%, leaving approximately five million young people without work.
Economic growth remains insufficient to generate meaningful employment opportunities. Weak performance in trade, manufacturing and mining contributed to a 0.2% contraction in GDP during the three months to June, the first economic contraction recorded in six quarters. Businesses have also faced mounting cost pressures, including higher fuel and input costs, which have dampened hiring intentions.
Despite the employment downturn, total gross earnings paid to employees increased by 3.5% year-on-year, reaching R1.025 trillion. However, earnings declined by R4.8 billion between March and June, reflecting pressure on certain sectors and employers.
The latest employment data underscores the urgent need for accelerated economic reforms, investment and growth-focused interventions to stimulate job creation, support business confidence and address South Africa’s deepening unemployment crisis.
Key Statistics at a Glance:
- Formal sector employment: 10.425 million (-14,000 quarter-on-quarter)
- Annual employment change: -95,000 jobs (-0.9%)
- Unemployment rate: 33.6%
- Youth unemployment rate: 47.4%
- Full-time employment: 9.33 million (-40,000 quarter-on-quarter)
- Part-time employment: 1.095 million (+26,000 quarter-on-quarter)
- Gross earnings: R1.025 trillion
- GDP growth (Q2 2026): -0.2%
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.