Here’s how South Africa’s 9 provinces spend their billions

Education and healthcare account for more than three-quarters of provincial government spending in South Africa, but the latest figures reveal significant differences in priorities between provinces.

Statistics South Africa’s latest Financial statistics of provincial government release provides a detailed look at how the country’s provincial departments spent their money during the 2024/2025 financial year.

South Africa has 120 provincial government departments, with an average of 13 departments per province.

Together, they are responsible for functions ranging from education and healthcare to economic development, public order and safety and social protection.

The figures show that education and health remain by far the biggest areas of provincial spending.

Combined, the two functions accounted for 75.8% of total provincial government expenditure, amounting to R578.8 billion out of R763.4 billion during 2024/2025.

Gauteng was the biggest spender

Gauteng recorded the highest overall provincial expenditure at R167.1 billion.

The province also allocated the most money to education and health.

Stats SA notes that this is not unexpected given Gauteng’s population. The province had an estimated 15.7 million people in 2024, making it the country’s most populous province.

At the opposite end of the scale, the Northern Cape, which has South Africa’s smallest population, recorded the lowest overall provincial expenditure.

Education overtakes health

While education accounted for a larger share of spending than health in every province during 2024/2025, this has not always been the case.

Stats SA’s comparable analysis of 2019/2020 expenditure found that health was the largest spending category in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Since then, education spending has overtaken health in both provinces.

The difference is particularly noticeable when comparing Gauteng and Limpopo.

In Gauteng, 39.8% of total provincial expenditure went towards education, compared with 38.7% for health.

In Limpopo, meanwhile, education accounted for almost half of all provincial expenditure at 48.1%, while health accounted for 29.3%.

Eastern Cape among the biggest education spenders

The provincial figures also reveal major differences in the proportion of budgets allocated to education.

Limpopo dedicated the largest share of its expenditure to education at 48.1%, followed by the Eastern Cape at 45.6% and Mpumalanga at 43.1%.

The Western Cape recorded the lowest proportion, with 37.7% of provincial expenditure going towards education.

The differences provide an indication of how provincial governments allocate their resources between two of the biggest responsibilities under their control.

Population differences may play a role

Stats SA’s analysis also highlights differences in the age profiles of provincial populations.

The Western Cape had the highest median age in 2022 at 31, followed by Gauteng at 30. Both were above South Africa’s national median age of 28.

Limpopo had the youngest population, with a median age of 26.

Stats SA previously noted that the relatively older populations in Gauteng and the Western Cape could help explain why health accounted for a comparatively larger share of spending in those provinces.

The latest figures nevertheless show that education remains the dominant spending priority across all nine provinces.

The data offers a snapshot of how South Africa’s provincial governments allocated R763.4 billion during the 2024/2025 financial year – and highlights how population size and demographic differences coincide with markedly different spending patterns across the country.

Is the spending ratio between health and education correct in your view?