Highest Unemployment in Mpumalanga

Top 100 cities ranked by highest unemployment

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · South Africa · Mpumalanga

Highest Unemployment — Mpumalanga

1 Emalahleni 32.4%

2 Middelburg 32.4%

3 eMbalenhle 32.4%

4 Somaroboro 32.4%

5 Mbombela 32.4%

6 Standerton 32.4%

7 Ermelo 32.4%

8 Delmas 32.4%

9 Piet Retief 32.4%

10 Bethal 32.4%

11 Barberton 32.4%

12 Kwaggafontein 32.4%

13 Trichardt 32.4%

14 Lydenburg 32.4%

15 Matsulu 32.4%

16 Balfour 32.4%

17 Siyabuswa 32.4%

18 Volksrust 32.4%

19 Mkhuhlu 32.4%

20 Leslie 32.4%

21 Phola 32.4%

22 Lukwatini 32.4%

23 Calcutta 32.4%

24 Lebohang 32.4%

25 Nhlazatje 32.4%

26 Driefontein 32.4%

27 Hendrina 32.4%

28 White River 32.4%

29 Kamaqhekeza 32.4%

30 Schoemansdal 32.4%

31 Redhill 32.4%

32 Moloto South 32.4%

33 Hlanganani 32.4%

34 Komatipoort 32.4%

35 Secunda 32.4%

36 Mafemani 32.4%

37 Carolina 32.4%

38 Belfast 32.4%

39 Vaalbank 32.4%

40 Sabie 32.4%

41 Driekoppies 32.4%

42 Kinross 32.4%

43 Kriel 32.4%

44 Tekwane 32.4%

45 Breyten 32.4%

46 Thubelihle 32.4%

47 Daggakraal 32.4%

48 Fernie 32.4%

49 Empuluzu 32.4%

50 Amersfoort 32.4%

51 Thulamahashe 32.4%

52 Xikhusese 32.4%

53 Maboke 32.4%

54 Tjakastad 32.4%

55 Bolla-Tau 32.4%

56 Allemansdrif 32.4%

57 Embhojeni 32.4%

58 Evander 32.4%

59 Oakley 32.4%

60 Emtfuntini 32.4%

61 Machadodorp 32.4%

62 Buyisonto 32.4%

63 Motetema 32.4%

64 Leeuwfontein-C 32.4%

65 Khokhamoya 32.4%

66 Mmametlhake 32.4%

67 Mhlambanyatsi 32.4%

68 Morgenzon 32.4%

69 Shatale 32.4%

70 Tsakani 32.4%

71 Kamalamule 32.4%

72 Marite 32.4%

73 Nthrowane 32.4%

74 eManzana 32.4%

75 Wakkerstroom 32.4%

76 Gemsbokspruit 32.4%

77 eMvelo 32.4%

78 Kamhlushwa 32.4%

79 Bosfontein 32.4%

80 Burgersfort 32.4%

81 Emgwenya 32.4%

82 Magogeni 32.4%

83 Lothair 32.4%

84 Edinburgh A 32.4%

85 KwaThandeka 32.4%

86 Madyembeni 32.4%

87 Glenmore 32.4%

88 Maviljan A 32.4%

89 Madras A 32.4%

90 Grootvlei 32.4%

91 Godide 32.4%

92 Dullstroom 32.4%

93 eMakhazeni B 32.4%

94 Perdekop 32.4%

95 Doornkop 32.4%

96 Thabakgolo 32.4%

97 Orinoco A 32.4%

98 Ngema Tribal Trust 32.4%

99 Ekulindeni 32.4%

100 Kumana 32.4%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Mpumalanga face significant economic challenges. Emalahleni has an unemployment rate of 32.4%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Emalahleni, about 1 in 3 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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