Northern Cape
Capital: Kimberley
The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest province by area but smallest by population. Mining (iron ore, manganese, diamonds) and agriculture drive the economy. Upington and Kimberley are major centres.
Unemployment Rate
31.2%0.5pp
Q3 2025 · Rank #3 lowest
Expanded: 42.8%
National avg: 33.8%
Population
1.26M
2% of SA
GDP Share
2.5%
of national GDP
Matric Pass
86.1%
2024 · avg 84.9%
Electricity Access
89.1%
of households · avg 89.0%
Labour Market
Unemployment (narrow)
31.2%
Q3 2025
Unemployment (expanded)
42.8%
Q3 2025
National rank
#3 lowest
Change (qoq)
-0.5pp
Education
Matric pass rate
86.1%
2024
Literacy rate
87.4%
vs national avg
1.2pp
Services & Housing
Electricity access
89.1%
Piped water (in dwelling)
61.4%
Formal dwellings
81.6%
Urban population
72.8%
Provincial Ranking — Unemployment
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q3 2025