uMshwathi

Cat B · Local

KwaZulu-Natal · MIIF B4 · KZN221

uMshwathi is a Category B local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Stats SA code KZN221). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 118 478 — the 31st most populous of 44 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 2.0% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 80.9% of households live in formal dwellings; 32.1% have access to a flush toilet; 69.8% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 1 866 km² at a density of 63.5 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)118 478Census 2022

Population (2011)96 793Boundary-aligned

Population Growth2.0%2011–2022

Male Population55 8372022

Female Population62 6412022

Sex Ratio89.1Males per 100 females

Population Density63,5 /km²1 866 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years28.9%Census 2022

15–34 years34.8%Census 2022

35–59 years26.3%Census 2022

60+ years10.1%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households24 987Census 2022

Avg Household Size4.7Persons per household

Formal Dwellings20 21580.9%

Informal Dwellings4892.0%

Traditional Dwellings4 22316.9%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access32.1%8 009 households

No Toilet Access3.0%749 households

Electricity for Cooking69.8%17 391 households

Water Scheme Access64.3%16 075 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)30 980Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)29 928Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

118 478

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -172 731

Pop. Density /km²

63.5

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -54.2

Avg Household Size

4.7

This municipality

3.9

National avg

▲ +0.8

Formal Dwelling %

80.9%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▼ -6.1%

Electricity Access %

69.8%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +3.8%

Flush Toilet %

32.1%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▼ -29.9%

vs KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Average

Population

118 478

This municipality

282 362

Provincial avg

▼ -163 884

Pop. Density /km²

63.5

This municipality

161.1

Provincial avg

▼ -97.6

Avg Household Size

4.7

This municipality

5.0

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

80.9%

This municipality

81.7%

Provincial avg

▼ -0.8%

Electricity Access %

69.8%

This municipality

67.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +2.8%

Flush Toilet %

32.1%

This municipality

38.4%

Provincial avg

▼ -6.3%

vs Largest in KwaZulu-Natal (eThekwini)

Population

118 478

This municipality

4 239 901

eThekwini

▼ -4 121 423

Pop. Density /km²

63.5

This municipality

1658.9

eThekwini

▼ -1595.4

Avg Household Size

4.7

This municipality

3.8

eThekwini

▲ +0.9

Formal Dwelling %

80.9%

This municipality

89.2%

eThekwini

▼ -8.3%

Electricity Access %

69.8%

This municipality

75.6%

eThekwini

▼ -5.8%

Flush Toilet %

32.1%

This municipality

80.4%

eThekwini

▼ -48.3%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +2.0% between 2011 and 2022.

Flush toilet access (32.1%) is 6.3 percentage points below 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.