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The Free State province seems to be an economic desert in the middle of the country with its people migrating to other provinces for greener pastures. The latest 2025 Mid-Year Population Estimate by Stats SA shows that the province is not economically attractive.
The province has been experiencing economic migration in the past 10 years, with professionals leaving the Free State in search for better opportunities elsewhere, including overseas. The influx into the province is however very low and does not compensate for the loss it is experiencing.
According to Risenga Maluleka, the Statistician General for Stats SA, the Free State province has the second lowest population of 3 million; this has declined from 5.9% in 2002 to 4.8% in 2025. The province has experienced an out-migration of -12 978.
The low economic growth and high unemployment rate in the Free State has also impacted on the socio-economic matters; with its life expectancy being the lowest in the country. According to Maluleka, the Free State has a life expectancy of 57.3 years for males and 64. 2 years for females.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State has put the blame for the decline in population and life expectancy at the door step of the African National Congress (ANC) in the province. Dr Roy Jankielsohn, the Leader of the DA in the Free State says it is due to lack of service delivery and corruption that the province is experiencing this humanitarian crisis.
“The stark contrast is a direct result of ANC-run governance in the Free State, which has failed to deliver basic services, uphold public healthcare, and create conditions in which residents can live long, dignified lives. The ANC’s corruption, mismanagement, and cadre deployment have led to a humanitarian crisis where reduced life expectancy and premature death have become tragically normalised,” said Jankielsohn.
According to the DA Leader, The declining social and economic circumstances and low life expectancy that are experienced by residents of the Free State are a result of maladministration, corruption and cadre deployment that is killing people through the following:
The collapse of provincial government healthcare services
Municipal dysfunctionality has resulted in disastrous sewerage pollution into water resources, unhealthy environments and a lack of safe and reliable water supply in homes.
Infrastructure collapse and poor basic services at provincial and municipal levels have decimated local economies and strangles investment into the province creating unemployment.
The increase in unhealthy informal settlements due to the corrupt plundering of funds meant for safe housing and clean neighbourhoods.
The 62% of people in the province who are trapped in ANC inflicted poverty, and who are unable to access nutritious food, clothing or shelter.
“The higher life expectancy in the very populous Western Cape, as opposed to other provinces, is indicative of a DA-run government that prioritises basic services and healthcare of residents through an effective and efficient civil service. The Western Cape model can only be experienced in the Free State through a change in voting patterns,” said the DA Leader.
