Soweto Population 2026
Soweto has a population of 1,695,047, making it the #5 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in Gauteng. Roughly 2.6% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 5.6× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
1,695,047
Rank in South Africa
#5
Coordinates
26.27°S, 27.86°E
~1,632 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
67 km
42 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Gauteng
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 9,418,183 | #1 |
| Pretoria | 2,112,693 | #4 |
| Soshanguve | 872,309 | #7 |
| Evaton | 725,468 | #9 |
| Benoni | 605,344 | #10 |
| Thembisa | 511,655 | #12 |
| Vereeniging | 474,681 | #14 |
| Boksburg | 445,168 | #15 |
Cities near Soweto
- Roodepoort326,416 people · ~12 km away
- Randfontein133,654 people · ~18 km away
- Johannesburg9,418,183 people · ~20 km away
- Westonaria156,831 people · ~22 km away
- Krugersdorp378,821 people · ~22 km away
- Randburg337,053 people · ~24 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Soweto?
Soweto has a population of 1,695,047 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #5 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Soweto in?
Soweto is located in Gauteng, South Africa.
Is Soweto the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 67 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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