KwaZulu-Natal

Capital: Pietermaritzburg

KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa's third-largest economy, centred on Durban's port — the busiest in sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing are key sectors alongside a growing automotive industry.

Official Unemployment Rate (LU1)

32.5%1.3pp

Q2 2026 · Rank #4 lowest

Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3): 47.8%

Expanded: 44.2%Legacy measure (Q3 2025)

National avg: 34.1%

Population (2026 est.)

12.28M

19.3% of SA (MYPE 2026)

GDP Share

15.9%

of national GDP

Matric Pass

81.4%

2024 · avg 84.9%

Formal dwelling

86.8%

of households, Census 2022 (71.6% in 2011)

Labour Market

Unemployment (official LU1)

32.5%

Q2 2026

Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3)

47.8%

Q2 2026

Expanded unemployment (legacy)

44.2%

Q3 2025 legacy

National rank

#4 lowest

Change (qoq)

+1.3pp

Education

Matric pass rate

81.4%

2024

Literacy rate

85.3%

vs national avg

-3.5pp

Services & Housing

Formal dwelling

86.8%

2011: 71.6%

Water from a regional or local scheme

78.1%

2011: 71.6%

Flush toilet

58.9%

2011: 45.0%

Cooking with electricity

72.1%

2011: 68.8%

Urban population

52.4%

The four housing rows are shares of households in Census 2022. Source: Stats SA, Census 2022 Provinces at a glance, pages 28 and 30.

Provincial Ranking — Unemployment

Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026

Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal

Population figures based on Census 2022 baseline

View all municipalities →

Gauteng

Limpopo