Quick facts
Hamhŭng overview
Hamhŭng (orange) and the other large cities of North Korea
Hamhŭng lies in South Hamgyong in North Korea at 39.92°N, 127.54°E, about 16 m above sea level. The local time zone is Asia/Pyongyang (UTC+9); GeoNames classifies it as a regional capital.
It is smaller than Pyongyang (3,222,000) and larger than Namp’o (455,000). The largest city in North Korea is Pyongyang with 3,222,000 people; the capital, Pyongyang, has 3,222,000.
The national capital, Pyongyang, is about 182 km away; the nearest large city is Hŭngnam, 12 km from Hamhŭng.
North Korea as a whole has a live population of 26,652,404 (+0.2% a year) and ranks #56 of 238 countries — see the North Korea population page for the full statistics and the North Korea atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Hamhŭng
Largest cities in North Korea
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PyongyangCapital | Pyongyang | 3,222,000 |
| 2 | Hamhŭng | South Hamgyong | 559,056 |
| 3 | Namp’o | Nampo | 455,000 |
| 4 | Sunch’ŏn | South Pyongan | 437,000 |
| 5 | Hŭngnam | South Hamgyong | 346,082 |
| 6 | Kaesŏng | Kaesong | 338,155 |
| 7 | Wŏnsan | Kangwŏn-do | 329,207 |
| 8 | Chongjin | North Hamgyong | 327,000 |
| 9 | Kaech’ŏn | South Pyongan | 319,554 |
| 10 | Sariwŏn-si | North Hwanghae | 310,100 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Hamhŭng?
Hamhŭng has about 559,056 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Hamhŭng the capital of North Korea?
No. The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang (3,222,000 people), about 182 km away. Hamhŭng is the 2nd largest city of the country and a regional capital.
How big is Hamhŭng compared with the rest of North Korea?
Its 559,056 residents are 2.1% of the 26,652,404 people living in North Korea today. Pyongyang is larger with 3,222,000 people.
Where is Hamhŭng?
In South Hamgyong, North Korea, at latitude 39.92 and longitude 127.54, 16 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Hŭngnam (12 km), Sinp’o (58 km), Wŏnsan (85 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Hamhŭng Population 2026 — North Korea. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/north-korea/hamhung/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/north-korea/hamhung/">Hamhŭng Population 2026 — North Korea</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.