North West province faces South Africa’s highest unemployment rates

South Africa’s labour market continues to show worrying signs, but nowhere is the crisis more acute than in the North West province. Latest statistics reveal that 40.1% of the adult population is officially unemployed, while the expanded unemployment rate which includes discouraged job-seekers soars to 54.7%.

Between April and June 2025, 159 000 South Africans entered the labour force, but only 19 000 found work. The remaining 140 000 joined the unemployed, adding further pressure to an already strained job market.

The number of discouraged job-seekers, those who have stopped actively looking for employment, dropped slightly by 28 000, easing the expanded unemployment rate marginally from 43.1% to 42.9% nationally.

North West: A province in crisis

In practical terms, more than half of adults in the North West are either unemployed or have given up looking for work. Around 14.6% of jobless adults have stopped searching entirely, highlighting deep frustration with the lack of opportunities.

Social media and community discussions have highlighted growing concern about the impact on families and local economies, with youth and rural populations particularly affected. Many analysts point to limited industrial development, skills mismatches, and inadequate investment as driving factors behind the province’s chronic unemployment.

Why it matters

High unemployment in North West not only affects individual livelihoods but also fuels social inequality, crime, and economic stagnation. Experts stress that urgent interventions are needed, including job creation programs, skills development initiatives, and incentives for investment to address the persistent labour-market challenges.

For South Africa, the North West province is a stark reminder that national unemployment figures only tell part of the story. Behind the numbers are communities struggling to survive and thrive in a labour market that isn’t keeping pace with demand.

{Source: TheSouthAfrican}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com