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Erbil, Iraq

Major city · Population 1.6M

Erbil is the 5th largest city in Iraq with a population of approximately 1,612,700 people as of 2026. This makes it the 278th largest city in the world, accounting for 3.50% of Iraq's total population of 46.0M. Erbil is classified as a major city and operates in the Asia/Baghdad timezone. The average annual temperature is 21.2°C with 549 mm of rainfall per year. The city sits at an elevation of 433 meters above sea level.

Population

1,612,700

Global Rank

#278

Country Rank

#5

% of Iraq

3.50%

Avg Temperature

21.2°C

Annual Rainfall

549 mm

Elevation

433 m

Timezone

Asia/Baghdad

Erbil on the Map

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Climate in Erbil

Erbil's warmest month is Jul and the coldest is Dec. The wettest month is Mar with 112 mm of rainfall.

Average Monthly Temperature

9°C
Jan
9.3°C
Feb
12.4°C
Mar
20.5°C
Apr
23.1°C
May
34.1°C
Jun
35.8°C
Jul
35.6°C
Aug
30.2°C
Sep
21.8°C
Oct
13.8°C
Nov
8.6°C
Dec
8.6°C35.8°C

Monthly Rainfall

105 mm
Jan
78 mm
Feb
112 mm
Mar
107 mm
Apr
79 mm
May
0 mm
Jun
0 mm
Jul
0 mm
Aug
0 mm
Sep
0 mm
Oct
30 mm
Nov
38 mm
Dec

Iraq at a Glance

Country Population

46,042,015

Capital

Baghdad

Region

Western Asia

Major Cities

40

GDP per Capita

$6,074

Life Expectancy

72.3 years

Urban Population

69.9%

Growth Rate

0.02%

Other Major Cities in Iraq

Nearest Major Cities

Closest cities to Erbil with over 100,000 people

Cities closest to Erbil by distance
CityPopulationDistance
Soran125,00070 km
Mosul1,683,00081 km
Al Mawşil al Jadīdah2,065,59783 km
Kirkuk1,031,00087 km
Ash Sharqāt160,000103 km
Sīnah128,776111 km
Dihok340,900118 km
Sulaymaniyah878,146146 km

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Erbil?

The population of Erbil, Iraq is approximately 1,612,700 people, making it the 278th largest city in the world and the 5th largest in Iraq.

Is Erbil the capital of Iraq?

No, the capital of Iraq is Baghdad. Erbil is the 5th largest city in the country.

What is the climate like in Erbil?

Erbil has an average annual temperature of 21.2°C and receives 549 mm of rainfall per year. The warmest month is Jul and the coldest is Dec.

What timezone is Erbil in?

Erbil is in the Asia/Baghdad timezone.