eThekwini

Cat A · Metropolitan

KwaZulu-Natal · MIIF METRO · ETH

eThekwini is a Category A metropolitan municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Stats SA code ETH). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 4 239 901 — the 1st most populous of 44 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 1.9% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 89.2% of households live in formal dwellings; 80.4% have access to a flush toilet; 75.6% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 2 556 km² at a density of 1658.9 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)4 239 901Census 2022

Population (2011)3 476 686Boundary-aligned

Population Growth1.9%2011–2022

Male Population2 072 3312022

Female Population2 167 5692022

Sex Ratio95.6Males per 100 females

Population Density1 658,9 /km²2 556 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years21.0%Census 2022

15–34 years36.6%Census 2022

35–59 years32.2%Census 2022

60+ years10.3%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households1 122 738Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.8Persons per household

Formal Dwellings1 001 34789.2%

Informal Dwellings100 2918.9%

Traditional Dwellings18 6771.7%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access80.4%902 237 households

No Toilet Access1.1%12 700 households

Electricity for Cooking75.6%846 835 households

Water Scheme Access93.8%1 052 684 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)805 314Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)812 505Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

4 239 901

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +3 948 692

Pop. Density /km²

1658.9

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▲ +1541.2

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

89.2%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +2.2%

Electricity Access %

75.6%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +9.6%

Flush Toilet %

80.4%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +18.4%

vs KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Average

Population

4 239 901

This municipality

282 362

Provincial avg

▲ +3 957 539

Pop. Density /km²

1658.9

This municipality

161.1

Provincial avg

▲ +1497.8

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

5.0

Provincial avg

▼ -1.2

Formal Dwelling %

89.2%

This municipality

81.7%

Provincial avg

▲ +7.5%

Electricity Access %

75.6%

This municipality

67.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +8.6%

Flush Toilet %

80.4%

This municipality

38.4%

Provincial avg

▲ +42.0%

vs Largest in KwaZulu-Natal (The Msunduzi)

Population

4 239 901

This municipality

817 725

The Msunduzi

▲ +3 422 176

Pop. Density /km²

1658.9

This municipality

1088.7

The Msunduzi

▲ +570.2

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.8

The Msunduzi

Same

Formal Dwelling %

89.2%

This municipality

90.5%

The Msunduzi

▼ -1.3%

Electricity Access %

75.6%

This municipality

77.5%

The Msunduzi

▼ -1.9%

Flush Toilet %

80.4%

This municipality

63.0%

The Msunduzi

▲ +17.4%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +1.9% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (89.2%) is 7.5 percentage points above the provincial average.

Population density (1658.9 /km²) is well above the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Flush toilet access (80.4%) is 42.0 percentage points above the provincial average.

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal with similar population size.

All data from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets (revised August 2025). Last updated 2026-06-04.