Statistics South Africa’s second-quarter 2026 labour figures show a deeper strain on the labour market, with national unemployment rising and the North West recording 15 000 job losses. The data highlights sectoral and provincial shifts that will have immediate consequences for households and labour-sending communities across the province.
National picture: more unemployed, fewer employed
The narrow definition of unemployment rose by 0.9 percentage points to 33.6%, with the number of unemployed people increasing by 345 000. On the broader measure, unemployment ticked up by 0.1 percentage points to 43.8%. Overall employment fell by 16 000 in the quarter.
Which sectors and provinces were affected
The report shows particular losses in sectors that sustain many households in the North West and other provinces:
- Community and social services: down 57 000
- Mining: down 26 000
- Agriculture: down 15 000
- Manufacturing: down 15 000
At provincial level, notable job losses were recorded in:
- Western Cape: 48 000
- Gauteng: 22 000
- North West: 15 000
There were, however, gains in some industries and provinces: trade added 70 000 jobs, construction 39 000 and finance 11 000. Provincially, Mpumalanga recorded 41 000 additional jobs, the Eastern Cape 13 000 and the Free State 9 000.
| Measure | Change (Q2 2026) |
|---|---|
| Narrow unemployment rate | +0.9 pp to 33.6% |
| Expanded unemployment rate | +0.1 pp to 43.8% |
| Number unemployed | +345 000 |
| Number employed | -16 000 |
Union response and economic pressures
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) described the report as alarming and called for decisive state intervention. COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks linked the weak outlook to global shocks and rising costs.
“This is beyond depressing… The outlook for the 3rd Quarter is likely to be similarly bleak due to the unprovoked war in the Middle East and the devastating impact it has had on international oil and fuel prices. This has seen economic growth projections for South Africa for 2026 slashed from an already meagre 1.4% to 1.1%. Inflation for transport has spiked with food and other essential goods likely to soon follow suit, with inflation having reached 5% in June 2026,”
Parks warned that higher inflation and rising transport costs could prompt the Reserve Bank to raise the repo rate again, increasing pressure on indebted workers and household budgets.
What this means for North West communities
The North West’s loss of 15 000 jobs comes against the backdrop of ongoing vulnerability in sectors that underpin many local economies. The reported fall in mining employment nationally (26 000 jobs lost) is especially concerning for labour-sending communities in the province that rely on mining wages.
Even where provinces recorded net gains, they do not offset heavy losses in public services and primary sectors that directly support rural and peri-urban households. Reduced employment in community and social services may also strain local clinics, schools and public programmes that many households depend on.
Steps stakeholders want to see
COSATU’s comments point to a demand for an urgent, large-scale fiscal response to stimulate growth and protect jobs. The report’s mix of sectoral gains and large public-sector and mining losses suggests interventions must be both immediate (protecting incomes and purchasing power) and structural (supporting investment in labour-absorbing sectors).
- Short term: support for households facing rising transport and food costs, and measures to avoid further retrenchments.
- Medium term: fiscal stimulus targeted at employment-rich sectors such as trade and construction, where hiring gains were recorded.
- Long term: policies that diversify provincial economies and reduce vulnerability to global commodity and oil shocks.
The Q2 numbers set a challenging scene for the rest of 2026. For workers and communities across the North West, the combination of job losses and rising living costs will test household resilience and the province’s social services in the months ahead.
