Kiel Population 2026
Kiel has a population of 252,668, making it the #28 biggest city in 🇩🇪 Germany, located in Schleswig-Holstein. Roughly 0.3% of Germany's population lives here. It is about 14× smaller than Berlin, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
252,668
Rank in Germany
#28
Coordinates
54.32°N, 10.13°E
~7 m elevation · Europe/Berlin
Distance to capital (Berlin)
295 km
183 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Schleswig-Holstein
| City | Population | Rank in Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Lübeck | 212,207 | #38 |
| Flensburg | 85,838 | #97 |
| Norderstedt | 82,844 | #101 |
| Neumünster | 80,196 | #105 |
| Elmshorn | 48,703 | #203 |
| Pinneberg | 40,577 | #273 |
| Wedel | 34,912 | #327 |
| Itzehoe | 33,047 | #352 |
Cities near Kiel
- Neumünster80,196 people · ~29 km away
- Itzehoe33,047 people · ~60 km away
- Lübeck212,207 people · ~62 km away
- Flensburg85,838 people · ~69 km away
- Norderstedt82,844 people · ~70 km away
- Elmshorn48,703 people · ~71 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Kiel?
Kiel has a population of 252,668 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #28 biggest city in Germany.
What region is Kiel in?
Kiel is located in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Is Kiel the capital of Germany?
No, the capital of Germany is Berlin, about 295 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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