Regions of Turkmenistan: population and official figures
Turkmenistan is divided into 6 regions. The largest by population is Mary Velayat with 1,613,386 people (22.9% of the total); the smallest is Balkan Velayat with 529,895. Figures come from the State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics: the complete population and housing census of 2022. Turkmenistan has five velayats (regions) and the capital city of Ashgabat, which has the status of a velayat. Census counts describe the situation at the census date in 2022.
Who governs Turkmenistan's regions?
Regions (welayat, 5) and the capital Ashgabat (plus the new city of Arkadag): Hakim appointed by and accountable to the President; regional people's council (halk maslahaty) elected. Carry out national policy, budgets and economic plans.
How local power works in Turkmenistan · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 6 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary Velayat | 1,613,386 | 2022 | – |
| 2 | Dashoguz Velayat | 1,550,354 | 2022 | – |
| 3 | Lebap Velayat | 1,447,298 | 2022 | – |
| 4 | Ashgabat | 1,030,063 | 2022 | – |
| 5 | Ahal Velayat | 886,845 | 2022 | – |
| 6 | Balkan Velayat | 529,895 | 2022 | – |
More on Turkmenistan: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics: Results of the complete population and housing census of Turkmenistan 2022, chapter 1: 1. Population number and location (table 1.3, population by sex and region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4a03600a93d8…)
- State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics: Results of the complete population and housing census of Turkmenistan 2022, chapter 3: 3. Education (tables 3.1, 3.3 and 3.60-3.65: literacy, level of education, preschool attendance), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 af3340d8da19…)
- State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics: Results of the complete population and housing census of Turkmenistan 2022, chapter 8: 8. Number and composition of households (tables 8.1 and 8.2), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 648931131ff2…)
- State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics: Results of the complete population and housing census of Turkmenistan 2022, chapter 9: 9. Employment of the population (tables 9.1 and 9.3: economically active population at working age), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0381c3497189…)
- State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics: Results of the complete population and housing census of Turkmenistan 2022, chapter 10: 10. Housing stock (table 10.1: floor space of residential premises per occupant), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d41d19f06bf…)
- State Committee of Turkmenistan on Statistics: Results of the complete population and housing census of Turkmenistan 2022, chapter 11: 11. Housing conditions of the population (tables 11.1, 11.3, 11.7 and 11.9: electricity, gas, heating, drinking water, sewerage), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a38a9f6abfbe…)
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