Degree or no degree: Which makes you more employable in South Africa?

Does having a university degree make it easier to find a job in South Africa? New data from recruitment platform PNet suggests that people with lower qualifications may find work faster than those with degrees.

The findings challenge the assumption that a university qualification automatically leads to quicker employment. However, the figures do not necessarily mean that people without degrees have better employment prospects overall.

PNet analysed 2.8 million records of people who started new jobs between 2022 and 2025, focusing on positions that lasted at least one year.

How long does it take to find a job in South Africa?

According to PNet’s findings, job seekers with lower qualifications generally took less time to secure employment than those with university degrees.

The reported average job-search periods by qualification were:

• Below matric: 11 months
• N4 and N5: 12 months
• Matric: 13 months
• N6 or diploma: 14 months
• Degree, master’s or doctorate: 16 months

The figures suggest that securing a graduate-level position can take longer than finding work in roles with lower formal entry requirements.

PNet’s explanation points to the specialised nature of many graduate jobs, which may offer higher salaries but have fewer vacancies and longer recruitment processes.

However, these figures reflect people who eventually secured qualifying jobs, rather than everyone who searched for work during the period.

Which jobs are filled the fastest?

The report also highlights differences in hiring times across occupational sectors.

Sales positions had a reported average job-search period of nine months, while specialised roles in finance, architecture and engineering took approximately 16.3 months.

Other occupations included:

• Drivers: 8.3 months
• Construction workers: 8.7 months
• Electricians: 10.5 months

These differences suggest that the time it takes to find employment depends on more than a person’s highest qualification. The occupation they pursue, the availability of vacancies and the requirements of the role can also influence the process.

For job seekers, this means that practical skills and demand for a particular occupation may be important considerations when choosing a career path.

The catch behind the degree debate

Although PNet’s figures indicate that some people with lower qualifications find work sooner, they do not show the full picture of unemployment in South Africa.

The data focuses on people who successfully entered qualifying jobs. It does not account for everyone who remained unemployed or continued applying without success.

Statistics South Africa’s reported second-quarter 2026 figures put unemployment among young people aged 15 to 34 at 47.4%, with approximately five million young people unemployed.

Among those aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate was reported to be above 60%.

The distinction matters because a shorter job-search period among people who eventually find work does not necessarily mean that job seekers without degrees have a greater chance of getting hired.

Qualifications can also affect the types of positions available to candidates and their longer-term career opportunities.

The figures cited in the report put unemployment among graduates at 12.4%, compared with 39.2% among people without matric.

These figures suggest that, while some jobs may be filled more quickly by candidates with lower qualifications, educational attainment remains an important factor in understanding employment prospects.

What is government doing about unemployment?

South Africa’s unemployment crisis has also kept income support and job-creation measures in focus.

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, currently set at R370 per month, has been funded until 31 March 2027, with a reported allocation of R36.4 billion.

Government has also been considering a permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant for working-age people without an income.

The Department of Social Development aims to complete the policy and submit it to Cabinet by March 2027.

National Treasury has indicated that any such support would need to be considered alongside measures connecting working-age recipients to skills development and employment programmes.

Further information could emerge during Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, scheduled for 21 October 2026.

So, is a degree still worth it?

PNet’s findings challenge the idea that a degree automatically helps someone find work faster. However, they should not be interpreted as proof that a degree makes a person less employable.

The figures measure the time taken by people who successfully secured qualifying employment, while broader unemployment statistics show the difficulties faced by many job seekers across different education levels.

For South Africans deciding whether to pursue university, a diploma, vocational training or another career path, the findings highlight the importance of considering the specific occupation, the demand for relevant skills and the qualifications employers require.

Finding a job quickly is one measure of employability, but it is not the only one. The availability of work, access to opportunities and the ability to build a sustainable career also matter.

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Source: The South African