Eastern Cape
Capital: Bhisho
The Eastern Cape faces structural economic challenges with high unemployment and poverty rates. The province is home to Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha) and a significant automotive manufacturing cluster.
Unemployment Rate
43.7%1.2pp
Q3 2025 · Rank #8 lowest
Expanded: 50.1%
National avg: 33.8%
Population
6.73M
10.9% of SA
GDP Share
7.4%
of national GDP
Matric Pass
79.8%
2024 · avg 84.9%
Electricity Access
82.3%
of households · avg 89.0%
Labour Market
Unemployment (narrow)
43.7%
Q3 2025
Unemployment (expanded)
50.1%
Q3 2025
National rank
#8 lowest
Change (qoq)
+1.2pp
Education
Matric pass rate
79.8%
2024
Literacy rate
80.1%
vs national avg
-5.1pp
Services & Housing
Electricity access
82.3%
Piped water (in dwelling)
41.8%
Formal dwellings
68.9%
Urban population
38.9%
Provincial Ranking — Unemployment
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q3 2025