Mthatha Population 2026
Mthatha has a population of 164,848, making it the #39 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in Eastern Cape. Roughly 0.3% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 57× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
164,848
Rank in South Africa
#39
Coordinates
31.59°S, 28.78°E
~694 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
652 km
405 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Eastern Cape
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Gqeberha | 1,050,078 | #6 |
| East London | 478,676 | #13 |
| Kariega | 291,052 | #25 |
| Mdantsane | 205,504 | #34 |
| Bhisho | 137,287 | #50 |
| Queenstown | 118,599 | #58 |
| Qonce | 93,072 | #74 |
| Grahamstown | 91,548 | #76 |
Cities near Mthatha
- Ugie16,133 people · ~68 km away
- Butterworth53,086 people · ~102 km away
- Tlokoeng15,884 people · ~103 km away
- Kokstad61,751 people · ~131 km away
- Lady Frere25,041 people · ~147 km away
- Stutterheim35,510 people · ~168 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Mthatha?
Mthatha has a population of 164,848 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #39 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Mthatha in?
Mthatha is located in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Is Mthatha the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 652 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.
← All biggest cities in South Africa · South Africa population by year