South Africa youth unemployment hits 47.3%
The skills revolution aims to bridge the gap between young people's aspirations and available opportunities.
South Africa's youth unemployment rate reached 47.3% in the third quarter of 2026, affecting approximately five million people aged 15 to 34. The official unemployment rate increased to 33.7% in the same period, with the expanded unemployment rate at 44%. Although 101,000 additional people found employment, unemployment rose by 97,000 as more people entered the labour market.
Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela is advancing a coordinated approach to skills development as part of the Skills Revolution. Initiatives like the Mpumalanga Skills Development Zone in Nkangala and the Dan Nkosi Skills Development Centre in Paulpietersburg, KwaZulu-Natal, aim to bring skills development closer to communities and connect them to economic opportunities.
The Skills Revolution is guided by President Cyril Ramaphosa's national development priorities and involves government, educational institutions, business, and social partners. It aims to provide a long-term foundation for expanding economic participation, improving productivity, and preparing South Africans for a changing economy.