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.
Unemployment Rate
31.7%0.1pp
Q3 2025 · Rank #4 lowest
Expanded: 44.2%
National avg: 33.8%
Population
11.42M
18.4% of SA
GDP Share
15.9%
of national GDP
Matric Pass
81.4%
2024 · avg 84.9%
Electricity Access
88.1%
of households · avg 89.0%
Labour Market
Unemployment (narrow)
31.7%
Q3 2025
Unemployment (expanded)
44.2%
Q3 2025
National rank
#4 lowest
Change (qoq)
+0.1pp
Education
Matric pass rate
81.4%
2024
Literacy rate
85.3%
vs national avg
-3.5pp
Services & Housing
Electricity access
88.1%
Piped water (in dwelling)
57.4%
Formal dwellings
79.8%
Urban population
52.4%
Provincial Ranking — Unemployment
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q3 2025