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.
Official Unemployment Rate (LU1)
28.7%1.7pp
Q2 2026 · Rank #2 lowest
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3): 47.1%
Expanded: 42.8%Legacy measure (Q3 2025)
National avg: 34.1%
Population (2026 est.)
1.38M
2.2% of SA (MYPE 2026)
GDP Share
2.5%
of national GDP
Matric Pass
86.1%
2024 · avg 84.9%
Formal dwelling
85.9%
of households, Census 2022 (82.4% in 2011)
Labour Market
Unemployment (official LU1)
28.7%
Q2 2026
Unemployment + potential labour force (LU3)
47.1%
Q2 2026
Expanded unemployment (legacy)
42.8%
Q3 2025 legacy
National rank
#2 lowest
Change (qoq)
-1.7pp
Education
Matric pass rate
86.1%
2024
Literacy rate
87.4%
vs national avg
1.2pp
Services & Housing
Formal dwelling
85.9%
2011: 82.4%
Water from a regional or local scheme
86.6%
2011: 83.1%
Flush toilet
73.0%
2011: 66.0%
Cooking with electricity
72.3%
2011: 78.3%
Urban population
72.8%
The four housing rows are shares of households in Census 2022. Source: Stats SA, Census 2022 Provinces at a glance, pages 18 and 19.
Provincial Ranking — Unemployment
Source: Stats SA QLFS Q2 2026
Municipalities in Northern Cape
Population figures based on Census 2022 baseline
Sol Plaatje270 078Dawid Kruiper125 744Joe Morolong125 420Ga-Segonyana117 454Kai !Garib85 104Phokwane80 481Nama Khoi67 089Dikgatlong56 967Siyancuma53 165Emthanjeni46 587Tsantsabane30 969Gamagara29 580Umsobomvu29 555Siyathemba27 102Magareng26 816Richtersveld24 235Thembelihle22 542Hantam22 281!Kheis21 954Kgatelopele19 854Ubuntu15 836Kamiesberg15 130Karoo Hoogland11 691Kareeberg10 961Renosterberg10 843Khâi-Ma8 510