Shymkent Population 2026
Shymkent has a population of 1,200,000, making it the #3 biggest city in 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, located in Shymkent. Roughly 5.7% of Kazakhstan's population lives here. It is about 1.6× smaller than Almaty, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
1,200,000
Rank in Kazakhstan
#3
Coordinates
42.31°N, 69.60°E
~520 m elevation · Asia/Almaty
Distance to capital (Astana)
996 km
619 miles, straight line
Cities near Shymkent
- Aksu26,115 people · ~22 km away
- Lenger21,238 people · ~27 km away
- Turar Ryskulov18,421 people · ~66 km away
- Arys36,285 people · ~66 km away
- Saryaghash25,139 people · ~101 km away
- Abay24,047 people · ~120 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Shymkent?
Shymkent has a population of 1,200,000 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #3 biggest city in Kazakhstan.
What region is Shymkent in?
Shymkent is located in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
Is Shymkent the capital of Kazakhstan?
No, the capital of Kazakhstan is Astana, about 996 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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