By: Buhle Mbhele
Stats SA has announced that approximately 140,000 people lost their jobs in the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS).
Despite the overall job losses, there was a slight increase in employment, with 19,000 more people reported as employed compared to the previous quarter. However, this was not enough to offset the broader decline in labour market conditions.
The changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate rising by 0.3 of a percentage point, from 32.9% in the first quarter to 33.2% in the second quarter.
Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said the largest job losses were recorded in the Community and Social Services, Agriculture, Finance, Transport, Utilities and Manufacturing sectors.
