South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 33.2% in Q2 2025, up from 32.9% in the previous quarter, according to Stats SA. The number of unemployed reached 8.4 million. While 19,000 jobs were created, more than 140,000 were lost, leaving total employment at 16.8 million amid a slowing economy.
Women and disabled people are bearing the brunt. Development specialist Bongiwe Mbunge noted higher disability prevalence among women and persistent exclusion from employment, education and housing. She highlighted that about 15% of disabled persons are excluded from access to jobs and basic resources, and called for solutions that meet people where they are, including skills in AI, cybersecurity and cloud engineering.
Corporate incentives are not yet translating into meaningful absorption. Although companies gain BBBEE and DTI points for hiring and training disabled people, accessibility barriers remain. Mbunge said business must do more, pointing to low absorption from learnerships and the need for sector-specific BBBEE criteria to drive progress.
Youth unemployment continues to be the most acute challenge. Measures such as the Youth Employment Grant offer some relief, but broader, more inclusive policies are needed to tackle systemic exclusion. With joblessness rising, the call for economic reform, skills development and corporate accountability is growing louder — and must centre disabled people and women.
