unemployment rate In Eastern Cape That increased 1.3 percentage points to 42.5% in the fourth quarter of last year.
The figures were released by the Statistician-General during the Quarterly Labor Force Survey briefing Risenga Maluleke.
Nearly 30,000 jobs lost in the province in the last three months Eastern Cape With the highest unemployment rate in the country.
Eastern Cape government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie says that despite these results, the provincial government is encouraged by the positive developments in key sectors of the provincial economy.
“The Provincial Government notes the report with concern. These results confirm that unemployment remains one of the most serious socio-economic challenges facing the province. They highlight persistent structural constraints that limit the pace of job creation, particularly in rural areas. The Eastern Cape Provincial Government remains encouraged by the positive developments in key sectors of the provincial economy.”
Between Q4:2015 and Q4:2025, the number of unemployed persons in SA increased from 5,2 million to 7,8 million. catch acting ddg, @raku_19But @motswedingfm At 07:13, as he breaks the latest #Unemployment Figures.
🔗: https://t.co/87qT4zWizS#statisticsSA #KnowYourStatsZA pic.twitter.com/8MLT5EV2It
– Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) (@StatsSA) 18 February 2026
Gauteng
meanwhile, democratic alliance (DA says) Gauteng 54,000 jobs were lost in the fourth quarter of 2025 – the steepest decline of all provinces. The unemployment rate is now 33%, with approximately 2.56 million residents out of work.
DA leader soli msimanga High crime levels, frequent power and water outages, and deteriorating infrastructure, especially in central business districts, have been blamed for the recession due to low investment. johannesburg.
Mike Moriarty, the DA's Gauteng shadow MEC for economic development, says, “The private are ready, and ready because they have the investment – so they want to make sure that the assets are improving in terms of their value – but then they are let down by the city, and that's what has to change. So, the partnership exists – we just need an administration that really comes to the party, and does what is required of them – with the resources that they have available. – They have resources available.”
employment tax incentive
Independent economist Duma Gcubule calls for Cancel Employment tax incentives cited by potential employers citing lack of jobs created.
Video | Unemployment rate reduced to 31.4% in 2025