Quick facts
Kigali overview
Kigali (orange) and the other large cities of Rwanda
Kigali lies in Rwanda at 1.95°S, 30.06°E, about 1,542 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Kigali (UTC+2); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Rwanda: the next largest cities are Gisenyi (172,357), Musanze (153,368), Nyagatare (100,000). Together, the three largest cities hold 9.7% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Shyorongi, about 15 km away, followed by Gitarama (36 km).
Rwanda as a whole has a live population of 14,982,708 (+2.1% a year) and ranks #77 of 238 countries — see the Rwanda population page for the full statistics and the Rwanda atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Kigali
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Shyorongi Northern Province | 15 km | 43,744 |
| Gitarama Southern Province | 36 km | 87,613 |
| Muhanga Southern Province | 40 km | 82,797 |
| Byumba Northern Province | 42 km | 43,134 |
| Rwamagana Eastern Province | 42 km | 47,203 |
| Ngororero Western Province | 49 km | 38,823 |
| Kayonza Eastern Province | 51 km | 27,059 |
| Nyanza Southern Province | 56 km | 32,016 |
Largest cities in Rwanda
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KigaliCapital | Kigali | 1,132,686 |
| 2 | Gisenyi | Western Province | 172,357 |
| 3 | Musanze | Northern Province | 153,368 |
| 4 | Nyagatare | Eastern Province | 100,000 |
| 5 | Gitarama | Southern Province | 87,613 |
| 6 | Muhanga | Southern Province | 82,797 |
| 7 | Butare | Southern Province | 62,823 |
| 8 | Kibuye | Western Province | 48,024 |
| 9 | Rwamagana | Eastern Province | 47,203 |
| 10 | Kibungo | Eastern Province | 46,240 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kigali?
Kigali has about 1,132,686 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Kigali the capital of Rwanda?
Yes — Kigali is the national capital of Rwanda.
How big is Kigali compared with the rest of Rwanda?
Its 1,132,686 residents are 7.6% of the 14,982,708 people living in Rwanda today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Kigali?
In Rwanda, at latitude -1.95 and longitude 30.06, 1,542 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Shyorongi (15 km), Gitarama (36 km), Muhanga (40 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Kigali Population 2026 — Rwanda. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/rwanda/kigali/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/rwanda/kigali/">Kigali Population 2026 — Rwanda</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.