SA faces job crisis as unemployment climbs

SOUTH Africa’s unemployment rate has climbed to 33.2%, with warnings that the crisis could deepen further following the US’s decision to impose a 30% tariff on key South African exports - a move expected to hit vulnerable industries and young workers the hardest.

- ANITA NKONKI [e-mail]

Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey has shown that joblessness increased in the second quarter of 2025, with the youth unemployment rate remaining alarmingly high at 46.1%.

Labour federations reveal to Saturday Star that young workers will bear the brunt of the impact, as industries providing entry-level positions are set to suffer.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is among those that have voiced serious concerns over this growing unemployment crisis, highlighting its detrimental impact on the nation’s economy and the domestic workforce.