Karbala's 2026 population is now estimated at 634,788. In 1950, the population of Karbala was 45,658. Karbala has grown by 16,362 in the last year, which represents a 2.65% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects . These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Karbala, which typically includes Karbala's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.