Maluti a Phofung

Cat B · Local

Free State · MIIF B3 · FS194

Maluti a Phofung is a Category B local municipality in Free State, South Africa (Stats SA code FS194). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 398 459 — the 3rd most populous of 19 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 1.7% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 88.1% of households live in formal dwellings; 42.9% have access to a flush toilet; 84.2% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 4 338 km² at a density of 91.9 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)398 459Census 2022

Population (2011)335 784Boundary-aligned

Population Growth1.7%2011–2022

Male Population184 3862022

Female Population214 0742022

Sex Ratio86.1Males per 100 females

Population Density91,9 /km²4 338 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years28.5%Census 2022

15–34 years34.8%Census 2022

35–59 years26.8%Census 2022

60+ years9.9%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households115 151Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.5Persons per household

Formal Dwellings101 40888.1%

Informal Dwellings8 8067.6%

Traditional Dwellings4 4053.8%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access42.9%49 423 households

No Toilet Access1.6%1 830 households

Electricity for Cooking84.2%96 825 households

Water Scheme Access88.2%101 578 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)113 419Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)108 045Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

398 459

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +107 250

Pop. Density /km²

91.9

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -25.8

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.1%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +1.1%

Electricity Access %

84.2%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +18.2%

Flush Toilet %

42.9%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▼ -19.1%

vs Free State Provincial Average

Population

398 459

This municipality

156 022

Provincial avg

▲ +242 437

Pop. Density /km²

91.9

This municipality

28.1

Provincial avg

▲ +63.8

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.5

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.1%

This municipality

87.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +0.2%

Electricity Access %

84.2%

This municipality

76.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +7.3%

Flush Toilet %

42.9%

This municipality

82.0%

Provincial avg

▼ -39.1%

vs Largest in Free State (Mangaung)

Population

398 459

This municipality

811 431

Mangaung

▼ -412 972

Pop. Density /km²

91.9

This municipality

82.1

Mangaung

▲ +9.8

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.5

Mangaung

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.1%

This municipality

90.1%

Mangaung

▼ -2.0%

Electricity Access %

84.2%

This municipality

81.7%

Mangaung

▲ +2.5%

Flush Toilet %

42.9%

This municipality

71.0%

Mangaung

▼ -28.1%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +1.7% between 2011 and 2022.

Flush toilet access (42.9%) is 39.1 percentage points below the provincial average.

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in Free State with similar population size.

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