East London Population 2026
East London has a population of 478,676, making it the #13 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in Eastern Cape. Roughly 0.7% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 20× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
478,676
Rank in South Africa
#13
Coordinates
33.02°S, 27.91°E
~48 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
809 km
502 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Eastern Cape
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Gqeberha | 1,050,078 | #6 |
| Kariega | 291,052 | #25 |
| Mdantsane | 205,504 | #34 |
| Mthatha | 164,848 | #39 |
| Bhisho | 137,287 | #50 |
| Queenstown | 118,599 | #58 |
| Qonce | 93,072 | #74 |
| Grahamstown | 91,548 | #76 |
Cities near East London
- Mdantsane205,504 people · ~16 km away
- Bhisho137,287 people · ~48 km away
- Qonce93,072 people · ~51 km away
- Stutterheim35,510 people · ~67 km away
- Dimbaza26,099 people · ~68 km away
- Butterworth53,086 people · ~79 km away
FAQ
What is the population of East London?
East London has a population of 478,676 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #13 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is East London in?
East London is located in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Is East London the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 809 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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