North West
Capital: Mahikeng
North West records one of the highest unemployment rates nationally. The Bushveld Complex, the world's largest known platinum deposit, anchors the mining economy. Rustenburg is the provincial economic hub.
Official Unemployment Rate (LU1)
38.1%2.8pp
Q2 2026 · Rank #8 lowest
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3): 56%
Expanded: 54.7%Legacy measure (Q3 2025)
National avg: 34.1%
Population (2026 est.)
4.23M
6.7% of SA (MYPE 2026)
GDP Share
5.8%
of national GDP
Matric Pass
85.3%
2024 · avg 84.9%
Formal dwelling
88.0%
of households, Census 2022 (76.2% in 2011)
Labour Market
Unemployment (official LU1)
38.1%
Q2 2026
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3)
56%
Q2 2026
Expanded unemployment (legacy)
54.7%
Q3 2025 legacy
National rank
#8 lowest
Change (qoq)
+2.8pp
Education
Matric pass rate
85.3%
2024
Literacy rate
84.1%
vs national avg
0.4pp
Services & Housing
Formal dwelling
88.0%
2011: 76.2%
Water from a regional or local scheme
76.2%
2011: 74.3%
Flush toilet
58.5%
2011: 45.4%
Cooking with electricity
69.9%
2011: 75.5%
Urban population
31.4%
The four housing rows are shares of households in Census 2022. Source: Stats SA, Census 2022 Provinces at a glance, pages 34 and 35.
Provincial Ranking — Unemployment
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026
Municipalities in North West
Population figures based on Census 2022 baseline
Rustenburg562 315Local Municipality of Madibeng522 566City of Matlosana431 231Mahikeng354 504Moses Kotane265 668Moretele219 120JB Marks212 670Greater Taung202 009Ditsobotla164 176Ramotshere Moiloa161 605Ratlou128 766Tswaing128 672Kagisano/Molopo112 130Maquassi Hills90 302Mamusa70 483Naledi63 755Lekwa-Teemane59 815Kgetlengrivier54 759