Winde welcomes Western Cape’s unemployment rate drop


Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has welcomed the latest Statistics South Africa data that shows that the province’s unemployment rate has dropped to 18.1%, the lowest in the country.

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey data was released earlier today.

Winde says on average, the Western Cape added 31 000 jobs per month over the last quarter of 2025.

The province’s unemployment rate also declined by 1.5 percentage points, year-on-year, reaching a five-year low.

Winde says the data shows his administration’s jobs strategy is delivering results.

“What also stands out for me is the sectors that have gained in jobs. The trade sector 48 000 more jobs, the agriculture sector 22 000 more jobs and the construction sector 22 000 more jobs. This is really exciting for me. And then perhaps one other item that stands out is the young people (15 to 24-year-olds), that are not in employment, education or training. And that unemployment rate has dropped by a further 6.6% quarter on quarter.”