Kitwe Population 2026
Kitwe has a population of 665,961, making it the #2 biggest city in 🇿🇲 Zambia, located in Copperbelt. Roughly 3.0% of Zambia's population lives here. It is about 3.3× smaller than Lusaka, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
665,961
Rank in Zambia
#2
Coordinates
12.80°S, 28.21°E
~1,224 m elevation · Africa/Lusaka
Distance to capital (Lusaka)
290 km
180 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Copperbelt
Cities near Kitwe
FAQ
What is the population of Kitwe?
Kitwe has a population of 665,961 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #2 biggest city in Zambia.
What region is Kitwe in?
Kitwe is located in Copperbelt, Zambia.
Is Kitwe the capital of Zambia?
No, the capital of Zambia is Lusaka, about 290 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.