What is the population of Karachi?
Karachi has a city population of 11,624,219. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
About Karachi
Karachi is Pakistan's largest city and main port, with a metropolitan population exceeding 17 million. Located on the Arabian Sea coast, Karachi serves as Pakistan's financial and commercial capital, generating about 25% of national GDP. The city is a melting pot of ethnicities from across Pakistan and beyond.
Metro population
17,100,000
0.206% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+2.27%
Archive estimateDensity
4,524/km²
3,780 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 82
Founded
1729
Leadership
Murtaza Wahab
Coordinates
24.861, 67.010
Record updated
14 April 2026
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 361 in PakistanClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Jinnah International AirportKHI
16 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Karachi was a small fishing village until British colonization in 1839 transformed it into a major port. It served as Pakistan's first capital (1947-1959) after independence. Massive migration during Partition and later from across Pakistan created today's diverse megacity. Political and ethnic tensions have marked recent decades.
Economy
Karachi is Pakistan's economic powerhouse, home to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, major banks, and industries. The port handles 95% of Pakistan's foreign trade. Key sectors include finance, textiles, pharmaceuticals, IT, and manufacturing. The informal economy is substantial. Economic challenges include infrastructure gaps and security concerns.
Culture
Karachi's culture reflects its diversity—Muhajirs (partition migrants), Sindhis, Pashtuns, Punjabis, and others create a unique mix. The food scene spans biryani, nihari, kebabs, and seafood. The city has theaters, galleries, and a vibrant literary scene. Beach culture at Clifton and Sea View is popular. Karachi is Pakistan's fashion capital.
Transportation
Karachi's public transit is limited despite massive population. Buses, rickshaws, and taxis dominate. The Green Line BRT began operations in 2022. Jinnah International Airport serves domestic and international flights. Traffic congestion is severe. A circular railway and metro are under development.
Current Challenges
Karachi faces immense challenges: water scarcity, power outages, severe traffic, poor waste management, inadequate infrastructure, crime, and ethnic/political violence. Informal settlements house millions. Climate change brings extreme heat and flooding. Despite these challenges, Karachi's entrepreneurial spirit persists.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum (Mazar-e-Quaid)
- Port Grand
- Mohatta Palace Museum
- Frere Hall
- Clifton Beach
- Pakistan Maritime Museum
- National Museum of Pakistan
- Do Darya restaurants
What Karachi Is Known For
- Biryani
- Port
- Diversity
- Business
- Beach culture
Universities
- University of Karachi
- NED University
- IBA Karachi
- Aga Khan University
Sports Teams
- Karachi Kings (cricket)
- K-Electric (football)
Interesting Facts
- Karachi's biryani is considered Pakistan's finest
- The city's population has grown from 450,000 in 1947 to over 17 million
- Karachi is often called the 'City of Lights' for its nightlife
- Port Qasim is among Asia's largest ports
- Karachi was once considered among Asia's most modern cities in the 1960s
Population Trend in Pakistan
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 35,849,260 |
| 1960 | 45,709,310 |
| 1970 | 60,166,719 |
| 1980 | 82,291,010 |
| 1990 | 116,155,576 |
| 2000 | 154,879,127 |
| 2010 | 199,239,047 |
| 2020 | 235,001,746 |
| 2030 | 276,883,255 |
| 2040 | 324,937,697 |
| 2050 | 371,863,793 |
| 2060 | 414,441,120 |
| 2070 | 451,260,265 |
| 2080 | 479,745,112 |
| 2090 | 499,173,314 |
| 2100 | 511,000,618 |
Karachi Population FAQ
Where is Karachi?
Karachi is in Sindh, Pakistan, 1,145 km from the capital, Islamabad. Its coordinates are 24.861, 67.010.
How big is Karachi compared with other cities in Pakistan?
It is the 2nd largest of the 361 cities listed in Pakistan, holding 4.6% of the national population.