Kandahār Population 2026
Kandahār has a population of 523,300, making it the #4 biggest city in 🇦🇫 Afghanistan, located in Kandahar. Roughly 1.2% of Afghanistan's population lives here. It is about 8.5× smaller than Kabul, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
523,300
Rank in Afghanistan
#4
Coordinates
31.61°N, 65.71°E
~1,007 m elevation · Asia/Kabul
Distance to capital (Kabul)
457 km
284 miles, straight line
Cities near Kandahār
- Gereshk43,588 people · ~110 km away
- Lashkar Gāh43,934 people · ~127 km away
- Khān Neshīn25,600 people · ~218 km away
- Nīlī30,058 people · ~238 km away
- Khāsh15,133 people · ~277 km away
- Shahrak15,967 people · ~307 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Kandahār?
Kandahār has a population of 523,300 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #4 biggest city in Afghanistan.
What region is Kandahār in?
Kandahār is located in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Is Kandahār the capital of Afghanistan?
No, the capital of Afghanistan is Kabul, about 457 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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