Unemployment, poverty are falling, says Ramaphosa

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted declining unemployment and poverty levels as signs that South Africa's economy is on a recovery path, while urging urgent action to turn these gains into long-term improvements in people's lives.

- WENDY DONDOLO

“Over the last months of 2025, we saw a number of indicators that our collective efforts to rebuild our economy are bearing fruit,” the President said.

“There has been a steady reduction in unemployment, while recent data released by Statistics South Africa shows that levels of poverty and inequality have declined considerably.”

Ramaphosa pointed to other encouraging signs, including four consecutive quarters of economic growth, low inflation rates, and rising investor confidence following South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.

Despite these gains, the President warned that more needed to be done to ensure sustainable progress.