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Unemployment

Unemployment is the economic condition in which people who are able and willing to work cannot find jobs. It is measured as the unemployment rate, which expresses the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the total labour force. The labour force comprises all people of working age who are either employed or actively seeking employment. Unemployment is a key indicator of economic health and social stability, reflecting the economy's capacity to generate sufficient jobs for its population. High unemployment rates signal economic distress, reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues and increased social welfare costs. Conversely, low unemployment typically indicates a robust economy with strong demand for labour. Unemployment can be classified into several types: structural unemployment, caused by mismatches between workers' skills and job requirements; cyclical unemployment, driven by economic downturns; frictional unemployment, arising from the time lag between jobs; and seasonal unemployment, linked to industries with fluctuating demand. In South Africa, unemployment has been a persistent challenge, with rates among the highest globally, driven by factors including skills shortages, slow economic growth, labour market rigidities and the legacy of apartheid-era education and economic policies. Governments typically address unemployment through job creation programmes, skills development initiatives, support for small and medium enterprises, infrastructure investment and policies to stimulate economic growth. Statistics South Africa is the official body responsible for measuring and reporting unemployment data in the country.

Unemployment News


Drilling in Australia
BMI lists screening of foreign investment, high labour costs, wildfires as Australian mining's main risks
Updated 5 hours ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

Mining and metals research firm BMI find that Australia's industry risk profile is largely being shaped by climate exposure and labour scarcity, though these effects vary by sector. Climate-related... 


A Dwyka employee with a drone
Dwyka, Tharisa launch drone school in North West
4th September 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Dwyka Labs, which is the innovation and training unit of Dwyka Mining Services, and Tharisa Minerals have jointly launched a Drone Academy at the latter’s Tharisa mine, in the North West province.... 


South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking at the launch of Phase 3 of the Government-Business Partnership
Govt, business pin hopes of 3% growth on mining, farming, tourism and infrastructure
4th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The four sectors of mining, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure have been selected under Phase 3 of the Government-Business Partnership as the platforms for raising South Africa’s growth to 3%... 


a smelter pouring hot alloy into a vat
Ferroalloys industry faces further rapid decline without intervention
28th August 2026 By: Halima Frost

Owing to low levels of competitiveness due to years of uncontrolled escalating power prices and lack of duties related to imported alloys and finished goods, which are both detrimental factors that... 


An image of Samanjalo founder and CEO Prudence Simelane
UK-backed Mpumalanga SME unlocks funding to tackle pollution, unemployment through mineral-waste innovation
24th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Mpumalanga-based women-led small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) Samanjalo has unlocked international grants to scale its operations through support from the UK’s JET Deal Accelerator Programme.... 


Saicta's New Job Portal Arrives Right On Cue As Sa Targets A Million Jobs By 2030
24th August 2026

The launch of the South African Information and Communication Technology Association’s (SAICTA’s) jobs portal comes at an opportune moment as government and business embark on Phase Three of their... 


Paul Dunne, Mzila Mthenjane, Shamini Harrington, Richard Stewart.
Minerals Council hails launch of partnership to unlock growth, jobs, confidence
21st August 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Minerals Council South Africa has responded exceedingly positively to the launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the third phase of South Africa’s Government-Business Partnership for Growth and... 


South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking at the launch of Phase 3 of the Government-Business Partnership
Government and business pin hopes of 3% growth on mining, farming, tourism and infrastructure
20th August 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The four sectors of mining, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure have been selected under Phase 3 of the Government-Business Partnership as the platforms for raising South Africa’s growth to 3%... 


A Dwyka employee with a drone
Dwyka, Tharisa partner to create drone pilot training school at Tharisa mine
18th August 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Dwyka Labs, which is the innovation and training unit of Dwyka Mining Services, and Tharisa Minerals have jointly launched a Drone Academy at the latter’s Tharisa mine, in the North West province.... 


Turning industrial policy into investable industrial ecosystems
Turning industrial policy into investable industrial ecosystems
14th August 2026

South Africa’s long-term growth challenge cannot be addressed without confronting the continued weakening of its manufacturing base. Over the past three decades, manufacturing’s contribution to GDP... 


a group of young technicians at the Cat Technicians for the World event, held last month
Manufacturer helps tackle youth unemployment
14th August 2026

In the wake of South Africa’s Youth Month, celebrated in June, original equipment manufacturer Barloworld Equipment reinforced its commitment to developing the country’s next generation of... 


Ronald Lamola
Lamola calls for value-added critical minerals industry to drive Africa's industrialisation
7th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Africa must seize the global critical minerals opportunity to accelerate industrialisation, create jobs and deepen regional economic integration rather than continue exporting raw materials,... 


ASX screens
Miners lead Australian stocks to record highs on signs of easing Iran tensions
5th August 2026 By: Reuters

Australian shares opened at a record high on Wednesday, led by miners, as hopes grew for an imminent end to the five-month-long Iran war. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose as much as 0.7% to a record... 


Photo of Terence Creamer
Distorted lens
24th July 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transitions are never easy. They are disruptive and are often fiercely resisted. South Africa navigated its own grand political transition in 1994, following a period of intense uncertainty and... 


Solar panels, wind turbines and transmission lines
Industrial policies must integrate green and development opportunities – TIPS
23rd July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

South Africa has various industry-related policies and master plans that take into account the changes wrought by the global energy transition, but the opportunities and risks arising from these... 


SA's young award-winning engineer shares 10 practical tips to build a successful engineering career
SA's young award-winning engineer shares 10 practical tips to build a successful engineering career
22nd July 2026

South Africa urgently needs more engineers to help solve critical challenges in water, energy, transport, housing and municipal infrastructure. Yet, while thousands of engineering students graduate... 


MTN Foundation expands education and digital inclusion through R185m investment
17th July 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

The MTN South Africa Foundation has invested more than R185-million in community development initiatives over the past three years. The initiatives focused predominantly on education, digital... 


ATI image
The Red Seal scandal that nobody in government wants to talk about
16th July 2026

Imagine training for four years. Early mornings, physical labour, classroom theory, practical assessments, and thousands of hours of hands-on experience. Then imagine passing your trade test – only... 


Why tomorrow’s drilling professionals need more than technical skills
Why tomorrow’s drilling professionals need more than technical skills
15th July 2026

(Virtual Showroom) As the mining industry embraces new technologies, evolving operational practices and increasingly complex projects, the skills required of young professionals are changing. While... 


Photo of Terence Creamer
Populist omen
3rd July 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South Africa is approaching the fifth anniversary of the deadly July 2021 riots and looting in an atmosphere that is again heavily laden with the threat of violence. It’s a fog made denser by the... 


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