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.
Official Unemployment Rate (LU1)
47.5%2.9pp
Q2 2026 · Rank #9 lowest
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3): 54.1%
Expanded: 50.1%Legacy measure (Q3 2025)
National avg: 34.1%
Population (2026 est.)
7.03M
11.1% of SA (MYPE 2026)
GDP Share
7.4%
of national GDP
Matric Pass
79.8%
2024 · avg 84.9%
Formal dwelling
83.6%
of households, Census 2022 (63.2% in 2011)
Labour Market
Unemployment (official LU1)
47.5%
Q2 2026
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3)
54.1%
Q2 2026
Expanded unemployment (legacy)
50.1%
Q3 2025 legacy
National rank
#9 lowest
Change (qoq)
+2.9pp
Education
Matric pass rate
79.8%
2024
Literacy rate
80.1%
vs national avg
-5.1pp
Services & Housing
Formal dwelling
83.6%
2011: 63.2%
Water from a regional or local scheme
67.0%
2011: 62.2%
Flush toilet
58.7%
2011: 43.0%
Cooking with electricity
65.1%
2011: 62.2%
Urban population
38.9%
The four housing rows are shares of households in Census 2022. Source: Stats SA, Census 2022 Provinces at a glance, pages 13 and 15.
Provincial Ranking — Unemployment
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026
Municipalities in Eastern Cape
Population figures based on Census 2022 baseline
Nelson Mandela Bay1 190 496Buffalo City975 255King Sabata Dalindyebo476 558Ngquza Hill354 573Winnie Madikizela-Mandela350 000Nyandeni304 856Enoch Mgijima297 055Mbhashe240 020Mnquma232 993Matatiele225 562Umzimvubu214 477Mhlontlo186 391Port St Johns179 325Raymond Mhlaba178 594Senqu147 073Ntabankulu146 423Elundini141 762Engcobo132 799Emalahleni128 873Intsika Yethu128 101Amahlathi115 703Kouga107 014Walter Sisulu104 213Dr Beyers Naude101 001Makana97 815Ndlambe87 797Inxuba Yethemba77 578Ngqushwa68 300Sakhisizwe63 981Sundays River Valley53 256Blue Crane Route49 883Kou-Kamma36 487Great Kei35 990