Many South Africans were shocked to learn that the country’s unemployment rate rose to 33.2% in the second quarter of 2025 from 32.9% in the previous quarter, as announced by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday.
With a mining-driven economy, which has platinum, gold, and diamonds being key minerals, North West still holds the highest unemployment rate in the country.
More than 1.5 million residents remain without jobs.
This was the third consecutive rise in unemployment since the final quarter of 2024, and the highest level since the second quarter of that year. The number of employed people increased by 19 000 to 16.8 million, while that of unemployed people rose substantially by 140 000 to 8.4 million. The labour force, which is composed of people aged 15 to 64 who are actively seeking employment, increased by 159 000.
The labour force participation rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 60.2%, while the absorption rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 40.2% from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2025, according to the statistics agency.
Employment increased in four of the 10 industries. Gains were observed in the formal sector (up by 34 000) and private households (up by 28 000), as well as in the construction sector (20 000) and mining industries (3 000). The largest decreases in employment were recorded in community and social services (42 000), followed by finance and agriculture (24 000 each), and transport (15 000).
Jobs in the informal sector fell by 19 000 during the period. Reacting to the recent figures of unemployment, Khuma resident Mpho Mokoena questioned the influence and strategies of the government of national unity [GNU] in relation to raising investor confidence and employment opportunities. “What is the use or purpose of the GNU if we are continuing to see high rates of unemployment and crime in our communities?
“The GNU is useless and failing to bring more investors to deal with unemployment,” said Mokoena. The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus leader in the Provincial Legislature Freddy Sonakile said the government has a responsibility to create a conducive environment for the private sector to create jobs.
“While we understand that job creation is primarily driven by the private sector, it remains the essential role of the government to establish conducive environments and implement strategic plans that enable and accelerate sustainable job growth.
“One month later, there has been no response from Premier Lazarus Mokgosi. There is currently no jobs crisis plan, as he ignores memorandums and proposals to address this challenge. Jobs are not created by cutting ribbons, hosting roadshows, or attending every ceremonial opening.
These statistics indicate a province on autopilot, with no urgency for economic reforms,” said Sonakile. Sonakile indicated that they have formally requested that the Portfolio Committee responsible for oversight of the Premier places this matter high on its agenda during engagements with the Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi. “The Premier’s continued silence is a betrayal of North West residents. While he may be crisscrossing the province, the results speak for themselves; no real jobs have been created, nothing is attracting the private sector, and the province remains left behind.”
