Limpopo
Capital: Polokwane
Limpopo is rich in mineral resources including platinum, chrome, and coal. Despite this, high unemployment persists. The province borders Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique and is a key agricultural producer.
Official Unemployment Rate (LU1)
32%0.3pp
Q2 2026 · Rank #3 lowest
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3): 46.7%
Expanded: 43.9%Legacy measure (Q3 2025)
National avg: 34.1%
Population (2026 est.)
6.36M
10% of SA (MYPE 2026)
GDP Share
6.6%
of national GDP
Matric Pass
84.6%
2024 · avg 84.9%
Formal dwelling
94.7%
of households, Census 2022 (89.8% in 2011)
Labour Market
Unemployment (official LU1)
32%
Q2 2026
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3)
46.7%
Q2 2026
Expanded unemployment (legacy)
43.9%
Q3 2025 legacy
National rank
#3 lowest
Change (qoq)
+0.3pp
Education
Matric pass rate
84.6%
2024
Literacy rate
78.4%
vs national avg
-0.3pp
Services & Housing
Formal dwelling
94.7%
2011: 89.8%
Water from a regional or local scheme
58.5%
2011: 62.7%
Flush toilet
35.2%
2011: 21.9%
Cooking with electricity
49.4%
2011: 50.1%
Urban population
14.9%
The four housing rows are shares of households in Census 2022. Source: Stats SA, Census 2022 Provinces at a glance, pages 46 and 47.
Provincial Ranking — Unemployment
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026
Municipalities in Limpopo
Population figures based on Census 2022 baseline
Polokwane843 459Fetakgomo Tubatse575 960Thulamela575 929Makhado502 452Greater Tzaneen478 254Collins Chabane443 798Mogalakwena378 198Makhuduthamaga340 328Greater Giyani316 841Elias Motsoaledi288 049Lepele-Nkumpi284 404Greater Letaba261 038Blouberg192 109Ba-Phalaborwa188 603Ephraim Mogale132 468Musina130 899Modimolle-Mookgophong130 113Maruleng128 137Molemole127 130Lephalale125 198Thabazimbi65 047Bela-Bela64 306