Balqash Population 2026
Balqash has a population of 81,364, making it the #24 biggest city in 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, located in Karaganda. Roughly 0.4% of Kazakhstan's population lives here. It is about 24× smaller than Almaty, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
81,364
Rank in Kazakhstan
#24
Coordinates
46.85°N, 74.98°E
~372 m elevation · Asia/Almaty
Distance to capital (Astana)
546 km
339 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Karaganda
| City | Population | Rank in Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| Karagandy | 497,777 | #5 |
| Temirtau | 170,600 | #16 |
| Saran | 42,552 | #36 |
| Shakhtinsk | 41,602 | #40 |
| Abay | 35,454 | #47 |
Cities near Balqash
- Ushtobe20,492 people · ~292 km away
- Taldykorgan116,558 people · ~332 km away
- Abay35,454 people · ~348 km away
- Karagandy497,777 people · ~357 km away
- Shakhtinsk41,602 people · ~364 km away
- Konayev42,167 people · ~369 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Balqash?
Balqash has a population of 81,364 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #24 biggest city in Kazakhstan.
What region is Balqash in?
Balqash is located in Karaganda, Kazakhstan.
Is Balqash the capital of Kazakhstan?
No, the capital of Kazakhstan is Astana, about 546 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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