Government budget and revenue in Free State, South Africa: official figures
The Free State provincial government spent R47.0 billion in 2025/26, 99.1% of its adjusted budget of R47.4 billion and about R15,453 per resident; 2nd highest of the nine provinces per person (5.8% of all provincial spending).
How much money does Free State get from national government?
Free State is allocated R36.8 billion from the national equitable share in 2026/27, up 2.6% on 2025/26, about R12,093 per resident (4th highest of the nine provinces). The National Treasury projects R39.4 billion by 2028/29.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyWhere does the Free State provincial government get its money?
Of the R47.1 billion the province received in 2025/26, 76.0% came from the equitable share, 21.3% from conditional grants and 2.7% (R1.3 billion) from its own revenue such as vehicle licence fees.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyWhat does the Free State provincial government spend its money on?
Education and health together took 73% of spending, and staff pay 63% (R29.8 billion).
Source: National Treasury · saved copyDoes Free State spend its infrastructure budget?
The province spent R2.0 billion on buildings, roads, equipment and other capital assets in 2025/26, 93.7% of its adjusted capital budget, 5th highest of the nine provinces.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyHow Free State compares with other provinces
Provincial government spending per resident (2025/26)
Free State ranks 2 of 9, highest first. Actual 2025/26 spending divided by the 2025 mid-year population estimate
| Rank | Region | Provincial government spending per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Cape | R16,863 |
| 2 | Free State | R15,453 |
| 3 | Eastern Cape | R14,416 |
| 4 | Limpopo | R14,013 |
| 5 | North West | R13,595 |
| 6 | KwaZulu-Natal | R13,222 |
| 7 | Mpumalanga | R13,207 |
More on Free State: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · South Africa
Sources
- National Treasury: 2026 Budget Review, Chapter 6, Table 6.2: provincial equitable share 2025/26 to 2028/29, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3eafdcfc79f3…)
- 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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