Ladysmith Population 2026
Ladysmith has a population of 143,446, making it the #45 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in KwaZulu-Natal. Roughly 0.2% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 66× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
143,446
Rank in South Africa
#45
Coordinates
28.56°S, 29.78°E
~1,010 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
350 km
217 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 |
| Mpumalanga | 140,121 | #49 |
Cities near Ladysmith
- Estcourt26,444 people · ~51 km away
- Wembesi33,849 people · ~55 km away
- Glencoe21,024 people · ~56 km away
- Dundee84,413 people · ~62 km away
- Harrismith33,390 people · ~71 km away
- Mooi River21,730 people · ~75 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Ladysmith?
Ladysmith has a population of 143,446 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #45 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Ladysmith in?
Ladysmith is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Is Ladysmith the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 350 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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