South Africa unemployment rises to 33.7% as labor force growth outpaces hiring

South Africa's official unemployment rate rose to 33.7% in Q3 2026, up from the prior quarter, as labor force growth outpaced job creation, leaving 8.6 million people jobless. The data signals persistent structural weakness in the labor market, which may weigh on consumer demand and fiscal metrics. The rise is consistent with recent trends, though the magnitude of the increase and its policy implications remain uncertain.

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