In a recent analysis, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) presented data on thirteen economic sectors, showing that nine of them had registered quarter-on-quarter rises, and eleven year-on-year increases.

The standout increase was in rail passenger journeys, which had risen 7.8% between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. The year-on-year increase (from March 2025 to March 2026) was 31.9%. Motor trade sales had risen 2.2% quarter-on-quarter, and 14.7% year-on-year. Wholesale trade sales were up 0.9% quarter-on-quarter, and 8.3% year-on-year. Income from tourist accommodation increased marginally quarter-on-quarter by 0.7% but by 14.1% year-on-year.

In other areas, the trends were less positive. Electricity generation was down 0.8% between the last quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, and 7.1% over the year. Road transport passenger journeys increased by 1.0% quarter-on-quarter, but fell 3.7% year-on-year.

A number of sectors recorded a mixed picture of quarterly declines, along with more impressive long-term trends. Buildings completed, for example, fell 19.5% (by value) between the last two quarters, but recorded a healthy increase of 22.5% year-on-year.

Mining demonstrated a small increase between the last two quarters (0.6%), but a larger year-on-year increase, at 2.5%. Restaurants and catering showed very little improvement between the last quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, at 0.1%, but 2.2% over the year. Rail freight payload had risen 2.9% quarter-on-quarter, although a much more modest 0.1% year-on-year.

These numbers overall point to progress, albeit slow and uneven.

However, unemployment remained a serious burden on the country. The official unemployment rate stood at 32.7% in the January-to-March period, up from 31.4% in the previous quarter, and had barely moved from the rate in January to March 2025, when it stood at 32.9%.

In raw numbers, the quarter-to-quarter loss of jobs was significant. Stats SA says: “The labour force shed an estimated 345 000 jobs, with the biggest losses recorded in community & social services and construction. Five other industries also recorded job losses. Three industries recorded modest employment gains: agriculture; mining; and manufacturing. The data also show that youth (aged 15–24) currently face the highest unemployment rate at 60.9%.”

In addition, Stats SA warned that fuel prices were pushing the risks of higher inflation.

Stats SA’s data reminds the country of the resilience of its business community in a difficult environment. It also indicates some successes in the government’s efforts at unblocking logistical chokepoints, as in the case of rail transport. However, the economy remains weighed down by counterproductive labour legislation and a failing skills system, and remains vulnerable to international shocks.