It was established under Act No.14 of 2014, dated 23 July 2014 by separation from the Muna Regency.

It covers an area of 906.28 km2, and reported a population of 71,632 at the 2010 Census;[3] the 2020 Census recorded a population of 84,590,[4] and the official estimate as of mid-2022 was 85,706, comprising 42,242 males and 43,464 females.

[2] Its administrative centre is Laworo in the Tiworo Islands District.

[5] The West Muna Regency is divided into eleven districts (kecamatan),[6] tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census[3] and the 2020 Census,[4] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.

[2] The table also includes the locations of the district headquarters, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 81 rural desa and 5 urban kelurahan), and its post code.