Government budget and revenue in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: official figures
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government spent R161.7 billion in 2025/26, 99.2% of its adjusted budget of R163.0 billion and about R13,222 per resident; 4th lowest of the nine provinces per person (19.9% of all provincial spending).
How much money does KwaZulu-Natal get from national government?
KwaZulu-Natal is allocated R136.4 billion from the national equitable share in 2026/27, up 4.7% on 2025/26, about R11,149 per resident (4th lowest of the nine provinces). The National Treasury projects R146.7 billion by 2028/29.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyWhere does the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government get its money?
Of the R162.9 billion the province received in 2025/26, 80.0% came from the equitable share, 17.2% from conditional grants and 2.8% (R4.6 billion) from its own revenue such as vehicle licence fees.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyWhat does the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government spend its money on?
Education and health together took 77% of spending, and staff pay 64% (R103.9 billion).
Source: National Treasury · saved copyDoes KwaZulu-Natal spend its infrastructure budget?
The province spent R9.2 billion on buildings, roads, equipment and other capital assets in 2025/26, 88.7% of its adjusted capital budget, 2nd lowest of the nine provinces.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyHow KwaZulu-Natal compares with other provinces
Provincial government spending per resident (2025/26)
KwaZulu-Natal ranks 6 of 9, highest first. Actual 2025/26 spending divided by the 2025 mid-year population estimate
| Rank | Region | Provincial government spending per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Eastern Cape | R14,416 |
| 4 | Limpopo | R14,013 |
| 5 | North West | R13,595 |
| 6 | KwaZulu-Natal | R13,222 |
| 7 | Mpumalanga | R13,207 |
| 8 | Western Cape | R11,689 |
| 9 | Gauteng | R10,830 |
More on KwaZulu-Natal: 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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