Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba has hailed a substantial drop in the province’s unemployment rate, which decreased sharply from 35% in the second quarter of 2025 to 29.8% in the third quarter. The positive development, announced by the Limpopo Office of the Premier on Wednesday following the latest data release from Statistics South Africa on November 11, 2025, positions Limpopo as a top-performing province in South Africa’s labour market recovery.
The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) indicates that Limpopo achieved a commendable 5.2 percentage point decline in its official unemployment rate. This provincial performance contributed significantly to the national unemployment reduction of 1.2%, bringing the overall South African figure down to 31.9%. Notably, Limpopo recorded the largest decrease in unemployment among the seven provinces that saw improvement, showcasing the province’s economic resilience. Statistics SA reported that employment increases nationally were predominantly driven by growth in the construction, services, and trade industries.
Premier Ramathuba welcomed the findings, stating they affirm earlier assessments of Limpopo’s economic growth trajectory. While the current 29.8% figure is not the “ideal to celebrate,” she affirmed it is a solid step towards achieving the Limpopo Development Plan’s target of bringing unemployment below 20%. To accelerate this progress, the administration is heavily pushing for more industrialisation, particularly in the manufacturing sector within the province. Limpopo’s current contribution of 0.9% to the national GDP further highlights the economic strides being made.
Confidence in the province’s economy appears strong, with the Premier highlighting recent investment pledges totalling R170 billion secured from the Limpopo investment conference. Ramathuba stressed that it is the administration’s responsibility to ensure at least 50% of these pledges are realised without delay to unlock job creation. The commitment to inclusive growth remains unwavering, with a clear focus on leveraging these massive opportunities for the benefit of all residents.
Infrastructure development is another cornerstone of the job creation strategy. Ramathuba pointed to ongoing initiatives, including recent discussions with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and various mining houses, as well as the province’s commitment to building 21 new roads. These major projects are set to significantly enhance Limpopo’s road network and generate substantial employment opportunities during their construction phases. The Premier concluded that the 7th Administration is dedicated to fostering a thriving economy, with the positive shift in unemployment reinforcing the determination to create jobs, fight poverty, and curb the high cost of living.