Bulawayo Population 2026

Bulawayo has a population of 665,952, making it the #2 biggest city in 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe, located in Bulawayo. Roughly 3.9% of Zimbabwe's population lives here. It is about 2.3× smaller than Harare, the country's biggest city.

Location of Bulawayo (capital Harare shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

665,952

Rank in Zimbabwe

Coordinates

20.15°S, 28.58°E

~1,348 m elevation · Africa/Harare

Distance to capital (Harare)

366 km

227 miles, straight line

Cities near Bulawayo

Gwanda26,700 people · ~98 km away
Gweru158,200 people · ~151 km away
Zvishavane59,717 people · ~156 km away
Shurugwi23,304 people · ~158 km away
Redcliff41,526 people · ~177 km away
Kwekwe119,863 people · ~187 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Bulawayo?

Bulawayo has a population of 665,952 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #2 biggest city in Zimbabwe.

What region is Bulawayo in?

Bulawayo is located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Is Bulawayo the capital of Zimbabwe?

No, the capital of Zimbabwe is Harare, about 366 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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