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[File] Job seekers standing outside a construction site
The unemployment rate in the Eastern Cape rose by 1.3 percentage points to 42.5% in the fourth quarter of last year.
The figures were released during the Quarterly Labour Force Survey briefing by Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke.
Some 30 000 jobs were lost in the province over the past three months, leaving the Eastern Cape with the highest unemployment rate in the country.
Eastern Cape government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie says despite these results the Provincial Government remains encouraged by 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 pressing socio-economic challenges facing the province. They further highlight persistent structural constraints that continue to limit the pace of job creation, particularly in rural areas. The Eastern Cape Provincial Government remains encouraged by 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_19, on @motswedingfm at 07:13, as he breaks down the latest #SAunemployment figures.
🔗: https://t.co/87qT4zWizS#StatsSA #KnowYourStatsZA pic.twitter.com/8MLT5EV2It
— Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) (@StatsSA) February 18, 2026
Gauteng
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) says Gauteng lost 54 000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025 – the sharpest decline among all provinces. The unemployment rate now stands at 33%, with about 2.56 million residents out of work.
DA leader Solly Msimanga has attributed the downturn to underinvestment driven by high crime levels, persistent power and water outages, and deteriorating infrastructure, particularly in central business districts such as Johannesburg.
DA’s Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development Mike Moriarty says, “Private is poised, and ready because they’ve got investments- so they want to ensure that the assets are improving in terms of their value- but then they get let down by the city, and that is what has to be turned around. So, the partnerships are there- we just need an administration that actually comes to the party, and does what it’s required of them- with the resources that they have available- they do have the resources available.”
Employment Tax Incentive
Independent Economist Duma Gqubule calls for the cancellation of the Employment Tax Incentive, citing a lack of jobs created by prospective employers.
VIDEO | Unemployment rate eases to 31.4% in 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=996PKJRlP4I
