Damascus: population and official figures
What is the population of Damascus?
Damascus, the capital of Syria, had 1,680,000 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 July 2008, according to an official estimate (people present) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Damascus rank among cities in Syria?
Of the 13 cities the UN table lists for Syria (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 3rd largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Damascus?
Women and girls made up 49.0% of residents (823,000 female, 857,000 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyThe UN marks this figure as an estimate of lower reliability.
Who runs Damascus?
In Syria, cities and towns are run by cities, towns and villages: Under the 2011 law, councils elected for four years (last held in 2022); since 2025 many are run by councils or executive offices appointed by governors. Local services, planning, permits.
How local power works in Syria
Cities of a similar size in Syria
- Aleppo 4,450,000
- Damasus rural 2,529,000
- Homs 1,667,000
- Hama 1,508,000
- Al-Hasakeh 1,392,000
- Idleb 1,376,000
- Deir El-Zor 1,111,000
- Lattakia 951,000
- Dra'a 930,000
- Al-Raqqah 865,000
- Tartous 756,000
- Al-Sweida 349,000
Up a level: all cities in Syria · Syria · government and power
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…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
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