South Africa unemployment edges up to 33.7% as ANC feels voter anger

Pretoria, Nov 10: South Africa’s official unemployment rate rose marginally to 33.7% in the third quarter from 33.6% in the second quarter, Statistics South Africa said on Tuesday. The data landed after last week’s municipal elections, where the African National Congress received a drubbing and unemployment stood out as a key voter concern.

Women, young people and Black South Africans remain especially vulnerable to joblessness. The official rate has stayed above 30% for six years and is among the highest in the world.

ANC coalition under pressure

Opinion polls showed high unemployment was one factor behind voter frustration with the ANC. Its share of the vote fell sharply in the local government election. The ANC-led coalition formed after the 2024 national election has struggled to boost job creation, despite prioritising economic reforms and achieving a modest pickup in growth.

Sector job losses and gains

Employment declined in three sectors between July and September: private households, agriculture and construction. Finance, manufacturing and mining were among the sectors that added jobs, the statistics agency said.

An expanded definition of unemployment, which includes people discouraged from seeking work, rose to 44.0% in the third quarter from 43.8% in the previous quarter.