Gao Population 2026
Gao has a population of 133,110, making it the #8 biggest city in 🇲🇱 Mali, located in Gao. Roughly 0.5% of Mali's population lives here. It is about 32× smaller than Bamako, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
133,110
Rank in Mali
#8
Coordinates
16.27°N, 0.04°W
~257 m elevation · Africa/Bamako
Distance to capital (Bamako)
946 km
587 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Gao
| City | Population | Rank in Mali |
|---|---|---|
| Bourem | 42,371 | #22 |
| Bamba | 28,524 | #36 |
| I-n-Tillit | 22,100 | #53 |
Cities near Gao
- Bourem42,371 people · ~83 km away
- I-n-Tillit22,100 people · ~92 km away
- Kidal40,030 people · ~287 km away
- Timbuktu84,208 people · ~321 km away
- Andéranboukan18,688 people · ~341 km away
- Douentza37,002 people · ~342 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Gao?
Gao has a population of 133,110 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #8 biggest city in Mali.
What region is Gao in?
Gao is located in Gao, Mali.
Is Gao the capital of Mali?
No, the capital of Mali is Bamako, about 946 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.