Gikongoro Population 2026

Gikongoro has a population of 21,029, making it the #36 biggest city in 🇷🇼 Rwanda, located in Southern Province. Roughly 0.1% of Rwanda's population lives here. It is about 54× smaller than Kigali, the country's biggest city.

Location of Gikongoro (capital Kigali shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

21,029

Rank in Rwanda

#36

Coordinates

2.46°S, 29.57°E

~1,881 m elevation · Africa/Kigali

Distance to capital (Kigali)

79 km

49 miles, straight line

Other big cities in Southern Province

City	Population	Rank in Rwanda
Gitarama	87,613	#5
Muhanga	82,797	#6
Butare	62,823	#7
Nzega	33,832	#18
Nyanza	32,016	#21
Ruhango	21,478	#35
Mugina	18,586	#39
Kamuhanda / Ruyenzi	16,369	#42

Cities near Gikongoro

Nzega33,832 people · ~3 km away
Nyanza32,016 people · ~23 km away
Butare62,823 people · ~24 km away
Ruhango21,478 people · ~36 km away
Karambi29,726 people · ~40 km away
Cyato26,996 people · ~43 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Gikongoro?

Gikongoro has a population of 21,029 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #36 biggest city in Rwanda.

What region is Gikongoro in?

Gikongoro is located in Southern Province, Rwanda.

Is Gikongoro the capital of Rwanda?

No, the capital of Rwanda is Kigali, about 79 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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