Paarl Population 2026
Paarl has a population of 236,910, making it the #30 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in Western Cape. Roughly 0.4% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 40× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
236,910
Rank in South Africa
#30
Coordinates
33.73°S, 18.98°E
~107 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
1,256 km
780 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Western Cape
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 4,772,846 | #2 |
| Somerset West | 225,289 | #33 |
| George | 188,580 | #36 |
| Worcester | 127,597 | #53 |
| Stellenbosch | 96,228 | #71 |
| Atlantis | 82,736 | #86 |
| Mossel Bay | 78,940 | #87 |
| Oudtshoorn | 73,694 | #90 |
Cities near Paarl
- Wellington55,543 people · ~11 km away
- Stellenbosch96,228 people · ~24 km away
- Kraaifontein57,911 people · ~27 km away
- Durbanville54,286 people · ~32 km away
- Malmesbury43,009 people · ~38 km away
- Somerset West225,289 people · ~41 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Paarl?
Paarl has a population of 236,910 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #30 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Paarl in?
Paarl is located in Western Cape, South Africa.
Is Paarl the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 1,256 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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