Karbala Population 2026
Karbala has a population of 1,218,732, making it the #5 biggest city in 🇮🇶 Iraq, located in Karbala. Roughly 2.5% of Iraq's population lives here. It is about 5.9× smaller than Baghdad, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
1,218,732
Rank in Iraq
#5
Coordinates
32.62°N, 44.02°E
~32 m elevation · Asia/Baghdad
Distance to capital (Baghdad)
88 km
55 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Karbala
| City | Population | Rank in Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Al Hindīyah | 139,578 | #35 |
Cities near Karbala
- Al Hindīyah139,578 people · ~20 km away
- Saddat al Hindīyah35,720 people · ~26 km away
- Al-Musayab101,873 people · ~31 km away
- Al Maḩāwīl31,200 people · ~36 km away
- Al Hillah455,700 people · ~41 km away
- Nāḩiyat al Iskandarīyah100,600 people · ~43 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Karbala?
Karbala has a population of 1,218,732 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #5 biggest city in Iraq.
What region is Karbala in?
Karbala is located in Karbala, Iraq.
Is Karbala the capital of Iraq?
No, the capital of Iraq is Baghdad, about 88 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.