5 September 2025
Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - Unemployment is approaching a provincial disaster.
The NW continues to be the only province with more unemployed people than working, and there are calls to declare the joblessness a provincial disaster.
According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) from Stats SA, the province has an official unemployment rate of 40.1% and an expanded unemployment rate of 54.7%, meaning more than half of its working-age population is unemployed.
North West is the only province where the majority of adults are either unemployed or have stopped looking for work altogether.
Around 14.6% of the unemployed have given up looking for work. The province also has the lowest labour absorption rate in the country at 31.6% and one of the lowest labour force participation rates at 52.7%. The province’s economy relies heavily on mining, which accounts for 28% of its GDP.
While some progress has been made, these problems continue to affect economic performance. The DA stressed that more than 1.5 million residents are now without jobs.
The party submitted a memorandum to Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, calling for unemployment to be declared a provincial disaster. The proposals included setting up a Youth Employment War Room, creating a jobs turnaround plan with measurable targets, improving infrastructure to support growth, and publishing quarterly investment and job creation updates. The party said there has been no response from the Premier and no indication of a job crisis plan.
The DA added that while job creation largely depends on the private sector, the provincial government can help create a business-friendly environment and support sustainable economic growth.
