Highest Unemployment in Western Cape

Top 95 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 · Western Cape

Highest Unemployment — Western Cape

1 Touwsrivier 32.4%

2 Vanrhynsdorp 32.4%

3 Albertina 32.4%

4 Kleinmond 32.4%

5 Stilbaai 32.4%

6 Prince Alfred Hamlet 32.4%

7 Porterville 32.4%

8 Ladismith 32.4%

9 Citrusdal 32.4%

10 Clanwilliam 32.4%

11 Klapmuts 32.4%

12 Saron 32.4%

13 Klawer 32.4%

14 Heidelberg 32.4%

15 Langebaan 32.4%

16 Rosebank 32.4%

17 Sedgefield 32.4%

18 Tulbagh 32.4%

19 Mamre 32.4%

20 Bonnievale 32.4%

21 eNduli 32.4%

22 Villiersdorp 32.4%

23 Darling 32.4%

24 De Doorns 32.4%

25 Murraysburg 32.4%

26 Napier 32.4%

27 Calitzdorp 32.4%

28 Languedoc 32.4%

29 Kylemore 32.4%

30 Riebeek West 32.4%

31 Struisbaai 32.4%

32 Newlands 32.4%

33 Uniondale 32.4%

34 Zoar 32.4%

35 Riebeek-Kasteel 32.4%

36 Stanford 32.4%

37 Prince Albert 32.4%

38 Lutzville 32.4%

39 Riviersonderend 32.4%

40 Simon's Town 32.4%

41 Botrivier 32.4%

42 Kranshoek 32.4%

43 Genadendal 32.4%

44 Laingsburg 32.4%

45 Constantia 32.4%

46 Lamberts Bay 32.4%

47 Wilderness 32.4%

48 Hopefield 32.4%

49 Kraaifontein 32.4%

50 Robertson 32.4%

51 Muizenberg 32.4%

52 Grabouw 32.4%

53 Plettenberg Bay 32.4%

54 Ceres 32.4%

55 Malmesbury 32.4%

56 Beaufort West 32.4%

57 Vredenburg 32.4%

58 Durbanville 32.4%

59 Wellington 32.4%

60 Hermanus 32.4%

61 Retreat 32.4%

62 Saldanha 32.4%

63 Knysna 32.4%

64 Oudtshoorn 32.4%

65 Mossel Bay 32.4%

66 Atlantis 32.4%

67 Stellenbosch 32.4%

68 Worcester 32.4%

69 George 32.4%

70 Somerset West 32.4%

71 Paarl 32.4%

72 Athlone 32.4%

73 Ashton 32.4%

74 Velddrif 32.4%

75 Melkbosstrand 32.4%

76 Saint Helena Bay 32.4%

77 Claremont 32.4%

78 Wolseley 32.4%

79 Fisantekraal 32.4%

80 Piketberg 32.4%

81 Dysselsdorp 32.4%

82 Rondebosch 32.4%

83 Moorreesburg 32.4%

84 Gansbaai 32.4%

85 Cape Town 32.4%

86 Caledon 32.4%

87 Lansdowne 32.4%

88 Le Roux 32.4%

89 Groot-Brakrivier 32.4%

90 Montagu 32.4%

91 Bredasdorp 32.4%

92 Riversdale 32.4%

93 Franschhoek 32.4%

94 Swellendam 32.4%

95 Vredendal 32.4%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Western Cape face significant economic challenges. Touwsrivier 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 Touwsrivier, 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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