Empangeni Population 2026
Empangeni has a population of 33,075, making it the #166 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in KwaZulu-Natal. Roughly 0.1% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 285× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
33,075
Rank in South Africa
#166
Coordinates
28.76°S, 31.89°E
~103 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
497 km
309 miles, straight line
Other big cities in KwaZulu-Natal
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Durban | 3,338,026 | #3 |
| Pietermaritzburg | 839,327 | #8 |
| Newcastle | 404,838 | #17 |
| Richards Bay | 252,968 | #28 |
| KwaDukuza | 161,177 | #40 |
| Vryheid | 150,012 | #43 |
| Pinetown | 144,026 | #44 |
| Ladysmith | 143,446 | #45 |
Cities near Empangeni
- eSikhaleni49,265 people · ~12 km away
- Richards Bay252,968 people · ~14 km away
- Eshowe17,663 people · ~44 km away
- Mtubatuba33,182 people · ~48 km away
- Mandeni37,533 people · ~63 km away
- Ulundi31,795 people · ~67 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Empangeni?
Empangeni has a population of 33,075 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #166 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Empangeni in?
Empangeni is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Is Empangeni the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 497 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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