The Western Cape created 91 000 jobs year-on-year, despite South Africa recording a loss of 68 000 jobs over the same period, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS).

The province’s unemployment rate also edged down to 19.5% in the second quarter of 2026.

Finance and trade were among the strongest-performing sectors in the Western Cape, each recording year-on-year employment gains of 41 000, while agriculture added 26 000 jobs.

Premier Alan Winde’s Media Liaison Officer, Regan Thaw, says the figures reflect the resilience of the provincial economy.

“The Western Cape’s unemployment rate has been below 20% for over a year.  This is still significantly lower than the national unemployment rate and highlights the Western Cape’s strong economic performance despite challenging global and national economic conditions.”

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Ivan Meyer, welcomed the latest figures.

“The results demonstrate the importance of maintaining a growth focused economic agenda. Growth creates jobs. Our focus remains on attracting investment, supporting businesses, expanding export opportunities, improving the skills pipeline, and building the infrastructure required for sustained economic growth.”

The national picture, however, remains concerning.

Statistics South Africa’s QLFS shows that the number of unemployed people increased by 345 000 to 8.5 million in the second quarter, while employment decreased by 16 000 to 16.7 million.

This pushed the official unemployment rate up by 0.9 of a percentage point, from 32.7% in the first quarter to 33.6% in the second quarter.

The expanded unemployment rate, which includes people who are not actively seeking work, increased slightly to 43.8%.

Youth unemployment also remains a major concern. The number of unemployed people aged between 15 and 34 increased by 264 000 to five million in the second quarter.

The youth unemployment rate consequently increased by 1.5 percentage points to 47.4%.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has described the latest figures as deeply concerning and is calling for urgent action from government and business.

COSATU spokesperson Matthew Parks says unemployment is the country’s single greatest threat.

“COSATU demands bold and decisive action to tackle the unemployment crisis. The latest jobs report released by Statistics South Africa for the 2nd Quarter of 2026, is beyond depressing. The job losses for the 2nd Quarter of 2026 are extremely worrying.”

The union is calling for a stimulus package aimed at driving economic growth, supporting businesses and expanding public employment programmes.

“We cannot continue to normalise 1% economic growth and dangerously high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality. The extent of this crisis requires a bold and aggressive stimulus package to kickstart the economy, rebuild public and municipal services, make capital affordable and accessible for SMMEs and industrial sectors, and extend relief for the unemployed by expanding public employment programmes.”

COSATU is also calling for measures to reduce electricity costs, restore rail and port capacity, invest in infrastructure and tackle crime and corruption.