Karakol Population 2026

Karakol has a population of 84,351, making it the #4 biggest city in 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan, located in Issyk-Kul. Roughly 1.1% of Kyrgyzstan's population lives here. It is about 11× smaller than Bishkek, the country's biggest city.

BishkekKarakol
Location of Karakol (capital Bishkek shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.
Population (city proper)
84,351
Rank in Kyrgyzstan
#4
Coordinates
42.49°N, 78.39°E
~1,770 m elevation · Asia/Bishkek
Distance to capital (Bishkek)
314 km
195 miles, straight line

Other big cities in Issyk-Kul

CityPopulationRank in Kyrgyzstan
Balykchy42,875#8
Kyzyl-Suu15,075#30

Cities near Karakol

  • Kyzyl-Suu15,075 people · ~36 km away
  • Balykchy42,875 people · ~181 km away
  • Naryn41,178 people · ~231 km away
  • Tokmok71,443 people · ~256 km away
  • Ivanovka17,513 people · ~274 km away
  • Kant22,617 people · ~293 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Karakol?
Karakol has a population of 84,351 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #4 biggest city in Kyrgyzstan.
What region is Karakol in?
Karakol is located in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.
Is Karakol the capital of Kyrgyzstan?
No, the capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek, about 314 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.

← All biggest cities in Kyrgyzstan · Kyrgyzstan population by year