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Pretoria, South Africa

Capital city Β· Population 2.1M

Pretoria is the capital and the 4th largest city in South Africa with a population of approximately 2,112,693 people as of 2026. This makes it the 189th largest city in the world, accounting for 3.35% of South Africa's total population of 63.1M. Pretoria is classified as a major city and operates in the Africa/Johannesburg timezone.

Population

2,112,693

Global Rank

#189

Country Rank

#4

% of South Africa

3.35%

Pretoria on the Map

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South Africa at a Glance

Country Population

63,100,945

Capital

Pretoria

Region

Southern Africa

Major Cities

75

GDP per Capita

$6,267

Life Expectancy

66.1 years

Urban Population

63.7%

Growth Rate

0.01%

Other Major Cities in South Africa

Johannesburg
9.4M
Cape Town
4.8M
Durban
3.3M
Soweto
1.7M
Gqeberha
1.1M
Soshanguve
872K
Pietermaritzburg
839K
Evaton
725K
Benoni
605K
Bloemfontein
557K

Nearest Major Cities

Closest cities to Pretoria with over 100,000 people

Cities closest to Pretoria by distance
CityPopulationDistance
Centurion236,58013 km
Diepsloot350,00027 km
Ivory Park184,38328 km
Thembisa511,65528 km
Mabopane110,97229 km
Soshanguve872,30932 km
Hammanskraal112,95039 km
Alexandra179,62441 km

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Pretoria?

The population of Pretoria, South Africa is approximately 2,112,693 people, making it the 189th largest city in the world and the 4th largest in South Africa.

Is Pretoria the capital of South Africa?

Yes, Pretoria is the capital of South Africa.

What timezone is Pretoria in?

Pretoria is in the Africa/Johannesburg timezone.