Butare Population 2026
Butare has a population of 62,823, making it the #7 biggest city in 🇷🇼 Rwanda, located in Southern Province. Roughly 0.4% of Rwanda's population lives here. It is about 18× smaller than Kigali, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
62,823
Rank in Rwanda
#7
Coordinates
2.60°S, 29.74°E
~1,769 m elevation · Africa/Kigali
Distance to capital (Kigali)
80 km
50 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Southern Province
Cities near Butare
FAQ
What is the population of Butare?
Butare has a population of 62,823 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #7 biggest city in Rwanda.
What region is Butare in?
Butare is located in Southern Province, Rwanda.
Is Butare the capital of Rwanda?
No, the capital of Rwanda is Kigali, about 80 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.