Census 2022 records the age structure of every municipality. The differences are substantial, and they change what a municipality needs to provide.

Youngest populations

These municipalities have the largest share of residents under 15.

Municipality Province Under 15 Over 65 Dependency ratio
Msinga KwaZulu-Natal 38.5% 5.9% 44.4
Ngquza Hills Eastern Cape 38.3% 5.4% 43.7
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Eastern Cape 38.2% 5.2% 43.4
Ntabankulu Eastern Cape 37.4% 6.5% 43.9
Port St Johns Eastern Cape 36.8% 5.8% 42.6
Nyandeni Eastern Cape 36.7% 6.0% 42.7
Nquthu KwaZulu-Natal 36.4% 5.9% 42.3
uMuziwabantu KwaZulu-Natal 36.4% 5.6% 42.0
Umzimkhulu KwaZulu-Natal 36.4% 6.3% 42.7
Nongoma KwaZulu-Natal 36.2% 5.7% 41.9
Collins Chabane Limpopo 35.5% 6.8% 42.3
Nkandla KwaZulu-Natal 35.5% 7.0% 42.5

Oldest populations

Municipality Province Over 65 Under 15
Mossel Bay Western Cape 15.4% 17.9%
Overstrand Western Cape 15.2% 18.6%
Ndlambe Eastern Cape 15.1% 21.3%
Kouga Eastern Cape 14.8% 21.3%
Ngqushwa Eastern Cape 13.6% 26.1%
Vuyisile Mini Eastern Cape 12.5% 31.6%
Great Kei Eastern Cape 12.3% 24.9%
Hessequa Western Cape 12.3% 21.4%
Knysna Western Cape 12.3% 20.9%
uMngeni KwaZulu-Natal 12.0% 21.2%
Cape Agulhas Western Cape 11.8% 19.5%
Emalahleni (EC) Eastern Cape 11.8% 30.6%

Why the age profile matters to a municipality

A very young population means demand for housing, water connections and job creation will grow quickly. A high share of older residents shifts demand towards accessible services and often comes with a weaker local tax base, since fewer residents are economically active. Neither is within a municipality’s control, but both shape what its budget has to achieve.

Figures on this page come from National Treasury, Statistics South Africa and the Auditor-General, as set out in the sources and methodology. Read the methodology