Population of Bamako: 4,170,005 residents in 2023, by arrondissement and neighbourhood
How many people live in Bamako? 4,170,005 in 2023 according to INSTAT, 18% of Mali: population of the seven arrondissements, fifteen most populous neighbourhoods, growth since 1976 and population make-up.
The District of Bamako has 4,170,005 residents in 2023 according to the national statistics institute (INSTAT), or 18.02% of Mali's population (23,143,456). That is 130% more than at the 2009 census. This page brings together the official figures: arrondissements, neighbourhoods, growth and make-up of the population.
Key points
- 4,170,005 residents in 2023: 2,065,376 men and 2,104,628 women (98 men per 100 women).
- 7 arrondissements and 102 neighbourhoods and villages since the law of 13 March 2023.
- The 6th arrondissement is the most populous (1,157,480), the 3rd the least (180,815).
- The most populous neighbourhood is Kalabancoro (267,283), brought into the District in 2023.
Population by arrondissement
| Arrondissement | Residents (2023) | Share of the District | Neighbourhoods and villages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th arrondissement | 1,157,480 | 27.8% | 16 |
| 1st arrondissement | 957,162 | 23.0% | 21 |
| 5th arrondissement | 618,321 | 14.8% | 9 |
| 4th arrondissement | 604,000 | 14.5% | 14 |
| 7th arrondissement | 468,915 | 11.2% | 7 |
| 2nd arrondissement | 183,312 | 4.4% | 13 |
| 3rd arrondissement | 180,815 | 4.3% | 22 |
| District of Bamako | 4,170,005 | 100% | 102 |
Since law no. 2023-005 of 13 March 2023 (French), the six former communes have given way to seven arrondissements; the 7th includes Kalabancoro and Kabala, formerly in the Kati cercle. See our page on the District of Bamako.
The fifteen most populous neighbourhoods
| Rank | Neighbourhood or village | Arrondissement | Residents (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalabancoro | 7th | 267,283 |
| 2 | Sénou | 6th | 187,181 |
| 3 | Dialakorodji | 1st | 170,724 |
| 4 | Yirimadjo | 6th | 167,070 |
| 5 | Banconi | 1st | 163,720 |
| 6 | Niamakoro | 6th | 161,329 |
| 7 | Kalaban-Coura | 5th | 138,046 |
| 8 | Sébénikoro | 4th | 135,420 |
| 9 | Daoudabougou | 5th | 127,354 |
| 10 | Doumanzana | 1st | 119,105 |
| 11 | Sabalibougou | 5th | 119,099 |
| 12 | Baco-Djicoroni | 5th | 118,199 |
| 13 | Kabala | 7th | 109,130 |
| 14 | Magnambougou | 6th | 104,987 |
| 15 | Sirakoro-Méguétana | 6th | 90,616 |
These fifteen localities have 2,179,263 residents, 52.3% of the District. Several of them, on the outskirts, were villages of the Kati cercle until 2023. The full list is on our Bamako neighbourhoods page.
A population multiplied by ten in half a century
| Census | Residents |
|---|---|
| 1976 | 419,239 |
| 1987 | 658,275 |
| 1998 | 1,016,167 |
| 2009 | 1,810,366 |
| 2023 | 4,170,005 |
Figures from 1976 to 2009 cover the boundaries of the time (six communes); the 2023 figure includes the localities brought into the District by the 2023 law. Within comparable boundaries, the 2009 population would have been 1,972,248. Between 1998 and 2009, average annual growth was 4.8%.
Make-up of the population
According to the 2023 census (RGPH-5) report on population status and structure, Bambara people account for more than four residents in ten in Bamako:
| Group (2023) | Bamako | Mali as a whole |
|---|---|---|
| Bambara (Bamanan) | 42.8% | 35.9% |
| Fulani | 12.5% | 12.8% |
| Soninke | 10.2% | 8.2% |
| Malinke | 10.0% | 8.4% |
| Dogon | 5.5% | 6.1% |
| Songhai | 3.9% | 4.8% |
| Senufo | 2.6% | 4.0% |
| Minianka | 2.5% | 5.4% |
| Others | 10.0% | 14.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Bamako in 2023?
4,170,005, according to INSTAT's Directory of Localities (2023 edition).
What is Bamako's most populous neighbourhood?
Kalabancoro, with 267,283 residents in 2023, in the 7th arrondissement.
Which arrondissement is the most populous?
The 6th, with 1,157,480 residents, followed by the 1st (957,162).
What share of Mali's population lives in Bamako?
18.02% in 2023.
Sources: INSTAT — Directory of Localities of Mali, 2023 edition (French), INSTAT — RGPH-5 report on population status and structure (French), INSTAT — 1987 census, urban population (French), INSTAT — 2009 general population and housing census (archived copy), Official Journal of Mali — law no. 2023-005 (French), Wikipedia — Bamako (French)