Punākha Population 2026
Punākha has a population of 21,500, making it the #4 biggest city in 🇧🇹 Bhutan, located in Punakha. Roughly 2.7% of Bhutan's population lives here. It is about 4.6× smaller than Thimphu, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
21,500
Rank in Bhutan
#4
Coordinates
27.59°N, 89.88°E
~1,293 m elevation · Asia/Thimphu
Distance to capital (Thimphu)
27 km
17 miles, straight line
Cities near Punākha
- Thimphu98,676 people · ~27 km away
- Tsirang22,376 people · ~68 km away
- Phuntsholing27,658 people · ~95 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Punākha?
Punākha has a population of 21,500 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #4 biggest city in Bhutan.
What region is Punākha in?
Punākha is located in Punakha, Bhutan.
Is Punākha the capital of Bhutan?
No, the capital of Bhutan is Thimphu, about 27 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.