{
  "id": 4604417,
  "title": "Why 62.8% of young South Africans cannot find work",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/why-62-8-of-young-south-africans-cannot-find-work",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-31T08:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/jobs/2026-08-31-why-628-of-young-south-africans-cannot-find-work/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africa's youth unemployment crisis deepened in the second quarter of 2026, with nearly two-thirds of young people unable to secure employment, as economists highlighted the country's shifting jobs crisis into a skills crisis. The official unemployment rate reached 33.6%, up from 32.7% in the first quarter, as the number of unemployed individuals rose by 345,000 to 8.5 million. Despite the stagnant headline unemployment rate, economists warn that the surge in youth unemployment has reached a \"critically elevated\" 62.8%, according to Investec economist Lara Hodes. Hodes explained that the youth segment continues to face the most significant barriers to finding stable employment. The statistics further reveal that education plays a crucial role in determining employment prospects. Those without a matric certificate experienced an unemployment rate of 39.2%, while graduates faced unemployment rates of just 12.4%. Education remains vital for employment, as those with lower education levels face significantly higher unemployment rates. While South Africa has made strides in implementing reforms to boost investment and economic growth, experts argue that additional efforts are required to foster long-term economic development and generate meaningful job opportunities. PSG senior economist Johann Els pointed out that while 900,000 jobs were created over the past three-and-a-half years, employment growth has lagged behind population growth, resulting in more South Africans competing for limited opportunities. Els emphasized that the country's skills deficit has been a decades-long issue, with inadequate investment in the education system over the past three decades. Employers are increasingly hesitant to hire unskilled workers, opting instead to invest in machinery, equipment, and technology. The problem begins well before young people enter the labor market, as evidenced by South Africa's poor performance in international literacy and mathematics assessments. The 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) revealed that South African Grade 4 learners scored an average of just 288, placing the country at the bottom of the rankings. Similarly, the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) showed that South Africa's Grade 9 mathematics score, while improving slightly, remained below the international benchmark. South Africa's education system requires a comprehensive overhaul, including stronger schools, better-trained teachers, capable artisans and technicians, well-funded researchers, modern infrastructure, and institutions capable of translating knowledge into functional public services, according to North-West University academic Dr. Paul Iwuanyanwu. The education challenge is also reflected in the number of young people disconnected from both learning and work, with 36.4% of South Africans aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education, or training (NEET), limiting their ability to acquire the skills demanded by employers.",
  "summary": "Nearly two in three young South Africans are unemployed, with economists warning that poor education outcomes and a decades-long skills deficit are limiting job prospects.",
  "key_points": [
    "62.8% of South African youth face unemployment, a critical economic issue",
    "Youth unemployment rate rose to 33.6% in Q2 2026, up from 32.7%",
    "Education level strongly correlates with employment prospects in South Africa"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}