Najaf Population 2026
Najaf has a population of 482,576, making it the #11 biggest city in 🇮🇶 Iraq, located in Najaf. Roughly 1.0% of Iraq's population lives here. It is about 15× smaller than Baghdad, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
482,576
Rank in Iraq
#11
Coordinates
32.03°N, 44.35°E
~41 m elevation · Asia/Baghdad
Distance to capital (Baghdad)
146 km
91 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Najaf
| City | Population | Rank in Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Kufa | 110,000 | #44 |
| Al Mishkhāb | 23,189 | #87 |
Cities near Najaf
- Kufa110,000 people · ~9 km away
- Ash Shāmīyah57,661 people · ~25 km away
- Al Mishkhāb23,189 people · ~28 km away
- Nahiyat Ghammas30,909 people · ~41 km away
- Al-Qāsim93,546 people · ~44 km away
- Al Hillah455,700 people · ~49 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Najaf?
Najaf has a population of 482,576 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #11 biggest city in Iraq.
What region is Najaf in?
Najaf is located in Najaf, Iraq.
Is Najaf the capital of Iraq?
No, the capital of Iraq is Baghdad, about 146 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.