Health in Eastern Cape, South Africa: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Eastern Cape is estimated at 61.5 years for men and 67.6 years for women over 2021-2026, 5th longest of the nine provinces; in 2001-2006 it was 51.4 and 55.9 years.
How many people in Eastern Cape have medical aid?
9.9% of people in Eastern Cape belonged to a medical aid scheme in 2025, 3rd lowest of the nine provinces (South Africa: 15.5%); about 5.88 million people rely on public health services.
Source: Statistics South Africa · saved copyWhere do people in Eastern Cape go when they are sick?
80.1% of households in Eastern Cape normally go first to a public clinic or hospital when someone falls ill (75.1% to a public clinic), and 15.9% to a private doctor (South Africa: 73.2% public).
Source: Statistics South Africa · saved copyHow much does Eastern Cape spend on health?
The Eastern Cape health department spent R32.6 billion in 2025/26 (99.9% of its adjusted budget), about R5,539 for each resident without medical aid; 3rd highest of the nine provinces.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyMore figures
- 8.5% of people in Eastern Cape described their health as only fair or poor in 2025 (South Africa: 6.3%). Source: Statistics South Africa · saved copy
How Eastern Cape compares with other provinces
Life expectancy at birth, average of men and women (2021-2026)
Eastern Cape ranks 5 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth, average of men and women |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Gauteng | 68.2 years |
| 3 | Limpopo | 66.3 years |
| 4 | Mpumalanga | 65.2 years |
| 5 | Eastern Cape | 64.5 years |
| 6 | North West | 62.9 years |
| 7 | Northern Cape | 62.9 years |
| 8 | KwaZulu-Natal | 62.4 years |
People covered by a medical aid scheme (2025)
Eastern Cape ranks 7 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People covered by a medical aid scheme |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Northern Cape | 16.7% |
| 4 | North West | 13.1% |
| 5 | Mpumalanga | 12.6% |
| 6 | Free State | 11.8% |
| 7 | Eastern Cape | 9.9% |
| 8 | KwaZulu-Natal | 9.5% |
| 9 | Limpopo | 8.2% |
More on Eastern Cape: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · South Africa
Sources
- Statistics South Africa: General Household Survey 2025 (Statistical release P0318): Tables 2.2 and 14.1 and addendum tables by province (release as archived by DataFirst, UCT), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 69b5db681d83…)
- Statistics South Africa: Mid-year population estimates 2025 (Statistical release P0302): Tables 8 and 10, Figures 9, 11 and 12 (copy published by the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e25293a1d345…)
- National Treasury: Provincial budgets and expenditure, 4th quarter 2025/26 (Section 32 of the PFMA): statement of receipts and payments per province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 87389aabde0c…)
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