Quick facts
Bamako overview
Bamako (orange) and the other large cities of Mali
Bamako lies in Mali at 12.61°N, 7.98°W, about 374 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Bamako (UTC+0); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Mali: the next largest cities are Sikasso (349,324), Koutiala (218,031), Ségou (205,787). Together, the three largest cities hold 18.3% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Kalaban Koro, about 7 km away, followed by Dialakorodji (11 km).
Mali as a whole has a live population of 26,146,774 (+2.9% a year) and ranks #58 of 238 countries — see the Mali population page for the full statistics and the Mali atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Bamako
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Kalaban Koro Koulikoro | 7 km | 148,247 |
| Dialakorodji Koulikoro | 11 km | 70,619 |
| Kati Koulikoro | 18 km | 130,254 |
| Koulikoro Koulikoro | 53 km | 64,128 |
| Kolokani Koulikoro | 107 km | 48,774 |
| Fana Koulikoro | 112 km | 56,809 |
| Bougouni Sikasso | 143 km | 90,234 |
| Kita Kayes | 171 km | 75,598 |
Largest cities in Mali
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Bamako?
Bamako has about 4,227,569 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Bamako the capital of Mali?
Yes — Bamako is the national capital of Mali.
How big is Bamako compared with the rest of Mali?
Its 4,227,569 residents are 16.2% of the 26,146,774 people living in Mali today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Bamako?
In Mali, at latitude 12.61 and longitude -7.98, 374 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Kalaban Koro (7 km), Dialakorodji (11 km), Kati (18 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Bamako Population 2026 — Mali. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/mali/bamako/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/mali/bamako/">Bamako Population 2026 — Mali</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.