Largest cities in Mali by population
The 6 cities the United Nations Demographic Yearbook 2024 lists for Mali: the capital and every city of 100,000 or more, with the latest figure the country reported. The largest is Bamako with 1,810,366 people.
Who runs cities in Mali?
Communes (750) and arrondissements: Communal council elected by proportional representation (last in 2016); head of the leading list becomes mayor. Sub-prefects for arrondissements are appointed. Basic services: primary schools, health centres, water, markets, land management.
How local power works in Mali · Level 3: local councils worldwide
| # | City | Population | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bamako (capital) | 1,810,366 | 1 April 2009 |
| 2 | Sikasso | 226,618 | 1 April 2009 |
| 3 | Kayes | 149,129 | 1 April 2009 |
| 4 | Koutiala | 141,444 | 1 April 2009 |
| 5 | Ségou | 133,501 | 1 April 2009 |
| 6 | Mopti | 120,786 | 1 April 2009 |
Countries define a city in different ways (the city proper, or the wider urban area) and report in different years, so cities in different countries are not always comparable.
More on Mali: official statistics · government and power · regions
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
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