Stats SA to Release Q3 Jobs Data on Tuesday

The quarterly labour force survey for the third quarter of 2026 is due to be published on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Employment

Stats SA to Release Q3 Jobs Data on Tuesday

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Statistics South Africa will publish its third quarter 2026 quarterly labour force survey on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. The release follows a rise in the jobless rate to 33.6% in the second quarter, up from 32.7% in the first quarter.

Why it matters

The survey will show whether unemployment, which has been climbing, continued to deteriorate during the third quarter. Higher fuel and input costs have led firms to adopt a more cautious approach to hiring, delaying expansion and recruitment plans.

The second-quarter jobless rate of 33.6% and youth unemployment of 47.4% are the latest official figures, with the third-quarter survey yet to be released. Economists are divided, with Nedbank expecting a modest deterioration and Investec forecasting a dip to 33%.

The players

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)

The national statistics agency responsible for publishing the country's labour force surveys and economic indicators.

Nedbank

A major South African banking group whose economists have forecast a modest deterioration in the third-quarter unemployment rate.

Investec

A South African-based specialist banking and asset management group whose economist Lara Hodes expects unemployment to ease to 33%.

The details

Economists are watching the release closely as businesses face higher oil and fuel prices that raise input, transport and distribution costs. Stats SA's GDP rebasing also reduced manufacturing's share of national output to 11.9% from 12.4%, pushing the sector to fourth-largest industry.

Second quarter 2026: jobless rate rose to 33.6%.
August 2026: mining output slumped 12.7% year on year.
Third quarter 2026: Valterra's precious metal refinery closed for maintenance.
Tuesday, 10 November 2026: Stats SA releases the Q3 labour force survey.
Thursday, 12 November 2026: Stats SA releases September mining production data.

Macro View

The unemployment rate has risen from 32.7% in the first quarter to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, continuing the trend captured in Stats SA's quarterly labour force series. The coming release will show whether that climb has continued through the third quarter.

With unemployment at 33.6% and youth unemployment at 47.4%, job seekers face a tough market and may encounter slower hiring as firms delay recruitment. Higher fuel and transport costs are also feeding through to household budgets through pricier goods.

The takeaway

Tracking the quarterly survey helps job seekers and households gauge whether labour conditions are improving or worsening. The next release will indicate whether the second-quarter rise in unemployment has persisted.

What happens next

Stats SA will publish the third quarter 2026 labour force survey on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, and September mining production data on Thursday, 12 November 2026.