Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
labour market south africalatest news & developments
Long reach: Unemployment is no longer a standalone crisis. It is increasingly tied to weak growth, declining living standards and persistent poverty. Photo: March to March
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR JOB LOSSES

SA recovery remains mainly jobless

The country lost 345 000 jobs in the first quarter of 2026 as unemployment climbed to 32.7%, exposing the gap between economic stabilisation and meaningful employment growth

  • Hasina Kathrada
7 min read