95,000 more jobs lost in South Africa

South Africa's job market took a significant hit, with 95,000 positions lost year-over-year, contributing to a -0.1% decline in total employment, which fell to 10.425 million as of June 2026, down from 10.439 million in March of the same year. This downturn is particularly concerning, given the ongoing economic challenges facing the country. The discrepancy between the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) and Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) highlights the complexities of measuring employment in South Africa, with the QES focusing on private, non-agricultural businesses.