View source for Kabardino-Balkaria

{{Short description|Republic of Russia in the North Caucasus}}
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
| subdivision_type   = Country
| settlement_type    = [[Republics of Russia|Republic]]
| image_flag         = Flag_of_Kabardino-Balkaria.svg
| image_map          = Map of Russia (2014–2022) - Kabardino-Balkaria (Crimea disputed).svg
| mapsize            = 300px
| pushpin_map = European Russia
| pushpin_relief = 1
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 6
| mapframe-height = 250
| mapframe-stroke-width = 1
| subdivision_name   = Russia
| coordinates        = {{coord|43|35|N|43|24|E|type:adm1st_region:RU|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| subdivision_type2  = [[Federal districts of Russia|Federal district]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[North Caucasian Federal District|North Caucasian]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Economic regions of Russia|Economic region]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[North Caucasus economic region|North Caucasus]]
| leader_title       = [[Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic|Head]]<ref>Constitution of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Article&nbsp;78</ref>
| leader_name        = [[Kazbek Kokov]]<ref name="Head">Official website of the Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. [http://president-kbr.ru/en/glava/biography.html Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028233959/http://president-kbr.ru/en/glava/biography.html |date=28 October 2014 }} {{in lang|ru}}</ref>
| total_type         = Total
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_total_km2     = 12470
| population_rank    = [[List of federal subjects of Russia by population|56th]]
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_as_of   = [[Russian Census (2021)|2021 Census]]
| population_total   = {{increase}} 904,200
{{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap;
| 57.1% [[Kabardins]]|19.8% [[Russians]]|13.7% [[Balkars]]|3% [[Cherkess]]|6.7% other}}<ref name=2021census>{{cite web|title=Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/tab-5_VPN-2020.xlsx|publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service]]|accessdate=1 September 2022}}</ref>
| timezone1          = [[Moscow Time|MSK]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?docbody=&prevDoc=102483854&backlink=1&&nd=102148085 |script-title=ru:"Об исчислении времени". Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации |language=ru |access-date=19 January 2019 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622151333/http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?docbody=&prevDoc=102483854&backlink=1&&nd=102148085 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| blank_name         = [[OKTMO]] ID
| blank_info         = 83000000
| native_name        = {{native name|kbd|Къэбэрдей-Балъкъэр Республикэ}}<br/>{{native name|krc|Къабарты-Малкъар Республика}}<br/>{{native name|ru|Кабардино-Балкарская Республика}}
| image_shield       = Coat of Arms of Kabardino-Balkaria.svg
| iso_code           = RU-KB
| registration_plate = 07
| utc_offset         = +3
| anthem             = [[State Anthem of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic]]<br>[[File:Гимн Кабардино-Балкарии.ogg|center]]<ref name="Anthem">Law #13-RZ</ref>
| flag_size          = 120px
| shield_size        = 75px
| flag_link          = Flag of Kabardino-Balkaria
| shield_link        = Coat of arms of Kabardino-Balkaria
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Nalchik]]<ref name="Capital">Constitution of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Article&nbsp;136</ref>
| population_urban   = 51.9%
| population_rural   = 48.1%
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Official language]](s)
| blank_info_sec1    = [[Karachay-Balkar language|Balkar]]<ref name="Languages">Constitution of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Article&nbsp;76</ref>{{*}}[[Kabardian language|Kabardian]]<ref name="Languages">Constitution of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Article&nbsp;76</ref>{{*}}[[Russian language|Russian]]<ref name="Russian">Official throughout the Russian Federation according to Article&nbsp;68.1 of the [[Constitution of Russia]].</ref>
| area_footnotes     = 
| government_type    = [[Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic]]<ref name="HeadLegis">Constitution of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Article&nbsp;91</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://glava.kbr.ru/}}
}}
{{Circassians}}
'''Kabardino-Balkaria''' ({{langx|ru|Кабарди́но-Балка́рия}}), officially the '''Kabardino-Balkarian Republic''',{{efn|{{langx|ru|Кабарди́но-Балка́рская Респу́блика|Kabardino-Balkarskaya Respublika}}; {{langx|kbd|Къэбэрдей-Балъкъэр Республикэ|Ķêbêrdej-Baĺķêr Respublikê}}; {{langx|krc|Къабарты-Малкъар Республика|Qabartı-Malqar Respublika}}|group=note}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/55504|title=Head of Kabardino-Balkarian Republic reported to the President on the situation in Mount Elbrus region|website=President of Russia|date=2 September 2017 |language=en|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://council.gov.ru/en/structure/regions/KB/|title=Russia's federal constituent entities|website=Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation|language=en|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Skutsch|first=Carl|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yXYKAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA313 |title=Encyclopedia of the World's Minorities|date=2013-11-07|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-19388-1|language=en}}</ref> is a [[Republics of Russia|republic]] of [[Russia]] located in the [[North Caucasus]]. As of the [[Russian Census (2021)|2021 Census]], its population was&nbsp;904,200.<ref name="2021Census">{{ru-pop-ref|2021Census}}</ref> Its capital is [[Nalchik]]. The area contains the highest mountain in Europe,  [[Mount Elbrus]], at {{convert|5642|m|abbr=on}}. Mount Elbrus has 22 glaciers that feed three rivers — [[Baksan (river)|Baksan]], [[Malka (river)|Malka]] and [[Kuban (river)|Kuban]]. The mountain is covered with snow year-round.

==Geography==
The republic is situated in the North Caucasus mountains, with plains in the northern part. The republic shares an international border with [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]].
*''Area'': {{convert|12500|km2|sp=us}}
*''Borders'':
**''internal'': [[Stavropol Krai]] (N/NE), [[North Ossetia–Alania]] (E/SE/S), [[Karachay–Cherkessia]] (W/NW)
**''international'': [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] ([[Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti]], [[Svaneti|Zemo Svaneti]]) (S/SW)
*''Highest point'': [[Mount Elbrus]] (5,642&nbsp;m)
*''Maximum N->S distance'': {{convert|167|km|sp=us}}
*''Maximum E->W distance'': {{convert|123|km|sp=us}}
<!--*''Average elevation'': no data-->

Kabardino-Balkaria is traversed by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude.

===Rivers===
Major rivers include:
*[[Terek River]] (623&nbsp;km)
*[[Malka River]] (216&nbsp;km)
*[[Baksan River]] (173&nbsp;km)
*[[Urukh River]] (104&nbsp;km)
*[[Chegem (river)|Chegem River]] (102&nbsp;km)
*[[Cherek River]] (76&nbsp;km)
*[[Argudan River]]
*[[Kurkuzhin River]]
*[[Lesken River]]

===Lakes===
There are about 100 lakes in the Republic, none of which is large. Just over half (55) are located between the Baksan and Malka rivers. Some of the lakes are:
*[[Tserikkel Lake]] (area 26,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>; depth 368&nbsp;m)
*[[Lower Goluboye Lake]]
*[[Kel-Ketchen Lake]] (depth 177&nbsp;m)
*[[Upper Tserikkel Lake]] (depth 18&nbsp;m)
*[[Sekretnoye Lake]]
*[[Tambukan Lake]] (area 1.77&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>; depth 1.5 to 2&nbsp;m), partially within Stavropol Krai.

===Mountains===
*'''[[Mount Elbrus]] (5,642&nbsp;m),''' a volcanic mountain and the highest peak in [[Europe]], [[Russia]], and the [[Caucasus]]
Other major mountains include:
*[[Dykh-Tau|Mount Dykhtau]] (5,402&nbsp;m)
*[[Koshtan-Tau|Mount Koshtantau]] (5,151&nbsp;m)
*[[Shkhara|Mount Shkhara]] (5,068&nbsp;m)
*[[Pik Pushkina|Pushkin Peak]] (5,033&nbsp;m)
*[[Mizhirgi-Tau|Mount Mizhergi]] (5,025&nbsp;m)

===Natural resources===
Kabardino-Balkaria's natural resources include [[molybdenum]], [[tungsten]], and [[coal]].

===Climate===
The republic has a continental-type climate.
*''Average January temperature'': {{convert|-12|C}} (mountains) to {{convert|-4|C}} (plains)
*''Average July temperature'': {{convert|+4|C}} (mountains) to {{convert|+23|C}} (plains)
*''Average annual [[precipitation]]'': 500–2,000&nbsp;mm.

==History==
{{See also|History of Kabardino-Balkaria}}
The ancestors of the modern [[Kabardians]], known as [[Circassians]] or [[Circassians|Kassogs]], have inhabited the area since at least the 6th century BCE.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The Oxford dictionary of Byzantium |date=1991 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-504652-8 |editor-last1=Kazhdan |editor-first1=A. P. |location=New York |oclc=22733550 |editor-last2=Talbot |editor-first2=A-M. M. |editor-last3=Cutler |editor-first3=A. |editor-last4=Gregory |editor-first4=T. E. |editor-last5=Ševčenko |editor-first5=N. P.}}</ref> During this period, the region was known as [[Zichia]], a medieval Circassian kingdom located on the northeastern shore of the [[Black Sea]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>Колли Л. Кафа в период владения ею банком св. Георгия (1454—1475) // Известия Таврической Ученой Архивной комиссии. № 47. Симферополь, 1912. С. 86</ref> Historical sources first mention Zichia in the 6th century, with [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] historian [[Procopius|Procopius of Caesarea]] recording that the people of the Zechoi had a king appointed by the [[Roman emperor|Roman Emperor]] but had since become independent.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Kazhdan |first=Aleksandr Petrovich |url=https://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0195046528 |title=The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium |date=1991 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-504652-6 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Notitiae Episcopatuum]] of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Patriarchate of Constantinople]] mentions an [[Diocese|autocephalous archbishopric]] of Zichia from the 7th century onward, associated with [[Tmutarakan|Tamatarcha]] or the [[Kerch Strait|Cimmerian Bosporus]].<ref name=":1" />

Between 1242 and 1295, the region came under the control of the [[Mongols]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Генофонд :: Итоги изучения Западного Кавказа |url=http://genofond.binec.ru/default2.aspx?s=0&p=239 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203142211/http://genofond.binec.ru/default2.aspx?s=0&p=239 |archive-date=2013-12-03 |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=genofond.binec.ru |language=ru}}</ref> From 1295 to around 1427, it was governed by the [[Georgians]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=World |first=Abkhaz |date=2020-05-17 |title=The Legendary Circassian Prince Inal, by Vitaliy Shtybin |url=https://abkhazworld.com/aw/history/1724-the-legendary-circassian-prince-inal-by-vitaliy-shtybin |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=AbkhazWorld.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> In the early 15th century, the area became part of a unified [[Circassia|Circassian Kingdom]], which remained independent until the death of [[Inal the Great|King Inal]] in 1453. Afterward, the kingdom experienced internal divisions and external pressures, leading to a gradual decline in its sovereignty.<ref name=":2" />

Between 1769 and 1830, during the [[Russo-Circassian War]], the region fell under Russian occupation.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=EL-Nasr |first=Ahmed Seif |title=Kabardino-Balkaria: Orbiting in Russia’s Axis of Oppression |url=https://english.noonpost.com/p/kabardino-balkaria-orbiting-in-russias |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=english.noonpost.com |language=en}}</ref> This period was marked by significant conflict and resistance from the indigenous populations. The war culminated in the annexation of Kabardino-Balkaria by [[Russia]], leading to profound changes in the region's political and social structures.<ref name=":3" />

During the [[History of the Soviet Union|Soviet era]], Kabardino-Balkaria was part of the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], undergoing industrial growth but also facing cultural suppression. After the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|USSR's collapse]], it became a republic within [[Russia]] and, on 1 July 1994, signed a power-sharing agreement granting it limited autonomy.<ref name="asymmetries">{{Cite journal |last=Solnick |first=Steven |date=29 May 1996 |title=Asymmetries in Russian Federation Bargaining |url=https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/nceeer/1996-810-08-Solnick.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=The National Council for Soviet and East European Research |pages=12 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/nceeer/1996-810-08-Solnick.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref> This agreement allowed the republic to manage its own affairs to some extent, though it remained under the sovereignty of the Russian Federation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russia signs power-sharing treaty with rebellious province - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/02/15/Russia-signs-power-sharing-treaty-with-rebellious-province/7008761288400/ |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> In 2001, Kabardino-Balkaria adopted a new constitution that reaffirmed its status within the Russian Federation, explicitly preventing the republic from existing independently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kabardino-Balkaria - Geography, History, Politics |url=https://qa.edu.vn/en/Kabardino-Balkaria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Agreement between Russia and Tatarstan. Подробное описание экспоната, аудиогид, интересные факты. Официальный сайт Artefact |url=https://ar.culture.ru/en/subject/dogovor-rf-rt-1994 |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=ar.culture.ru |language=en}}</ref>

==Politics==
The head of government in Kabardino-Balkaria is the [[Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic|Head]]. The current Head is [[Kazbek Kokov]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://meduza.io/paragraph/2018/09/26/putin-opyat-uvolnyaet-gubernatorov-a-na-ih-mesto-naznachaet-odnofamiltsev-ili-byvshih-gubernatorov-a-a-a-kak-ne-zaputatsya|script-title=ru:Путин опять увольняет губернаторов, а на их место назначает однофамильцев или бывших губернаторов. А-а-а! Как не запутаться? Вот шпаргалка|work=Meduza|access-date=2018-09-26|language=ru-RU}}</ref> The legislative body of the Republic is the [[Parliament of Kabardino-Balkaria|Parliament]] comprising 70 deputies elected for a five-year term.<ref name="HeadLegis" /><ref name="Parliament">Constitution, Article&nbsp;94.</ref>

The republic adopted a new constitution in 2001 which prevents the republic from existing independently of the Russian Federation.{{sfn|Bell|2003|p=78}}

==Administrative divisions==
{{excerpt|Administrative divisions of Kabardino-Balkaria}}
{{clear}}

[[File:Kabardino-balkaria map.png|thumb|Map of the republic]]
<gallery>
File:Абай къала.jpg|Cherek-Balkarskaya gorge
File:Dykhtau.jpg|[[Dykh-Tau|Mount Dykh-Tau]]
File:ГКХ во второй половине дня.jpg|Prielbrusye
File:Тызыльская теснина.jpg|Tyzyl Gorge
</gallery>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote = Source: Census data, estimate<ref name=2025Estimate>{{cite web|title=Предварительная оценка численности постоянного населения на 1 января 2025 года|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/PrPopul2025_Site.xlsx|publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service]]|accessdate=3 February 2025}}</ref>
|[[1926 Soviet census|1926]] | 230923
|[[1959 Soviet census|1959]] | 420115
|[[1970 Soviet census|1970]] | 588203
|[[1979 Soviet census|1979]] | 674605
|[[1989 Soviet census|1989]] | 759586
|[[2002 Russian census|2002]] | 901494
|[[2010 Russian census|2010]] | 859939
|[[2021 Russian census|2021]] | 904200
|2025 | 908090
}}
'''Population''': {{ru-census|p2021=904,200|p2010=859,939|p2002=901,494|p1989=759,586}}
[[File:Life expectancy in Russian subject -Kabardino-Balkaria.png|thumb|250px|Life expectancy at birth in Kabardino-Balkaria]]

'''Life expectancy''':<ref name="rosstat">{{cite web|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/folder/210/document/13207 |title=Демографический ежегодник России |publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service of Russia]] (Rosstat) |access-date=28 June 2022 |language=ru |trans-title=The Demographic Yearbook of Russia}}</ref><ref name="uiiss">{{cite web |url=https://www.fedstat.ru/indicator/31293 |title=Ожидаемая продолжительность жизни при рождении |website=Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System of Russia |access-date=28 June 2022 |language=ru |trans-title=Life expectancy at birth |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220124657/https://www.fedstat.ru/indicator/31293 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{|style="text-align: center;"
!
! style="width:7em;"|2019
! style="width:7em;"|2021
|-
| style="text-align: left;"|Average:
| 76.5 years
| 73.8 years
|-
| style="text-align: left;"|Male:
| 72.6 years
| 69.9 years
|-
| style="text-align: left;"|Female:
| 79.9 years
| 77.3 years
|}

===Vital statistics===
:Source:<ref>[http://www.gks.ru/dbscripts/Cbsd/DBInet.cgi#1 Russian Federal State Statistics Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412011659/http://www.gks.ru/dbscripts/Cbsd/DBInet.cgi#1 |date=12 April 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fedstat.ru/ |title=Официальные статистические показатели |lang=ru |access-date=8 August 2022 |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803015015/https://www.fedstat.ru/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! width="70pt"|Average population (x 1000)
! width="70pt"|Live births
! width="70pt"|Deaths
! width="70pt"|Natural change
! width="70pt"|Crude birth rate (per 1000)
! width="70pt"|Crude death rate (per 1000)
! width="70pt"|Natural change (per 1000)
! width="70pt"|Fertility rates
|-
| 1970
| align="right" | 592
| align="right" | 11,683
| align="right" | 3,913
| align="right" | 7,770
| align="right" | 19.7
| align="right" | 6.6
| align="right" | 13.1
|-
| 1975
| align="right" | 634
| align="right" | 12,315
| align="right" | 4,717
| align="right" | 7,598
| align="right" | 19.4
| align="right" | 7.4
| align="right" | 12.0
|-
| 1980
| align="right" | 680
| align="right" | 14,098
| align="right" | 5,457
| align="right" | 8,641
| align="right" | 20.7
| align="right" | 8.0
| align="right" | 12.7
|-
| 1985
| align="right" | 725
| align="right" | 15,941
| align="right" | 5,854
| align="right" | 10,087
| align="right" | 22.0
| align="right" | 8.1
| align="right" | 13.9
|-
| 1990
| align="right" | 772
| align="right" | 15,412
| align="right" | 6,573
| align="right" | 8,839
| align="right" | 20.0
| align="right" | 8.5
| align="right" | 11.5
| align="right" style="color: blue" | 2.45
|-
| 1991
| align="right" | 788
| align="right" | 14,952
| align="right" | 6,995
| align="right" | 7,957
| align="right" | 19.0
| align="right" | 8.9
| align="right" | 10.1
| align="right" style="color: blue" | 2.35
|-
| 1992
| align="right" | 799
| align="right" | 13,728
| align="right" | 7,093
| align="right" | 6,635
| align="right" | 17.2
| align="right" | 8.9
| align="right" | 8.3
| align="right" style="color: blue" | 2.16
|-
| 1993
| align="right" | 807
| align="right" | 11,781
| align="right" | 7,864
| align="right" | 3,917
| align="right" | 14.6
| align="right" | 9.7
| align="right" | 4.9
| align="right" | 1.86
|-
| 1994
| align="right" | 816
| align="right" | 11,407
| align="right" | 8,052
| align="right" | 3,355
| align="right" | 14.0
| align="right" | 9.9
| align="right" | 4.1
| align="right" | 1.79
|-
| 1995
| align="right" | 828
| align="right" | 10,844
| align="right" | 8,236
| align="right" | 2,608
| align="right" | 13.1
| align="right" | 9.9
| align="right" | 3.2
| align="right" | 1.67
|-
| 1996
| align="right" | 840
| align="right" | 10,293
| align="right" | 8,199
| align="right" | 2,094
| align="right" | 12.2
| align="right" | 9.8
| align="right" | 2.5
| align="right" | 1.56
|-
| 1997
| align="right" | 853
| align="right" | 10,016
| align="right" | 7,985
| align="right" | 2,031
| align="right" | 11.7
| align="right" | 9.4
| align="right" | 2.4
| align="right" | 1.47
|-
| 1998
| align="right" | 866
| align="right" | 9,997
| align="right" | 8,201
| align="right" | 1,796
| align="right" | 11.5
| align="right" | 9.5
| align="right" | 2.1
| align="right" | 1.44
|-
| 1999
| align="right" | 875
| align="right" | 9,221
| align="right" | 8,292
| align="right" | 929
| align="right" | 10.5
| align="right" | 9.5
| align="right" | 1.1
| align="right" | 1.30
|-
| 2000
| align="right" | 883
| align="right" | 9,207
| align="right" | 8,792
| align="right" | 415
| align="right" | 10.4
| align="right" | 10.0
| align="right" | 0.5
| align="right" | 1.26
|-
| 2001
| align="right" | 891
| align="right" | 8,892
| align="right" | 8,778
| align="right" | 114
| align="right" | 10.0
| align="right" | 9.9
| align="right" | 0.1
| align="right" | 1.19
|-
| 2002
| align="right" | 897
| align="right" | 9,119
| align="right" | 8,954
| align="right" | 165
| align="right" | 10.2
| align="right" | 10.0
| align="right" | 0.2
| align="right" | 1.20
|-
| 2003
| align="right" | 896
| align="right" | 9,294
| align="right" | 9,202
| align="right" | 92
| align="right" | 10.4
| align="right" | 10.3
| align="right" | 0.1
| align="right" | 1.20
|-
| 2004
| align="right" | 889
| align="right" | 9,414
| align="right" | 8,695
| align="right" | 719
| align="right" | 10.6
| align="right" | 9.8
| align="right" | 0.8
| align="right" | 1.22
|-
| 2005
| align="right" | 882
| align="right" | 8,991
| align="right" | 9,034
| align="right" style="color: red"|- 43
| align="right" | 10.2
| align="right" | 10.2
| align="right" style="color: red"| -0.0
| align="right" style="color: red"| 1.13
|-
| 2006
| align="right" | 875
| align="right" | 9,308
| align="right" | 8,764
| align="right" | 544
| align="right" | 10.6
| align="right" | 10.0
| align="right" | 0.6
| align="right" | 1.16
|-
| 2007
| align="right" | 870
| align="right" | 11,397
| align="right" | 8,441
| align="right" | 2,956
| align="right" | 13.1
| align="right" | 9.7
| align="right" | 3.4
| align="right" | 1.41
|-
| 2008
| align="right" | 866
| align="right" | 12,052
| align="right" | 8,095
| align="right" | 3,957
| align="right" | 13.9
| align="right" | 9.3
| align="right" | 4.6
| align="right" | 1.49
|-
| 2009
| align="right" | 863
| align="right" | 12,143
| align="right" | 8,406
| align="right" | 3,737
| align="right" | 14.1
| align="right" | 9.7
| align="right" | 4.3
| align="right" | 1.62
|-
| 2010
| align="right" | 860
| align="right" | 12,576
| align="right" | 8,080
| align="right" | 4,496
| align="right" | 14.6
| align="right" | 9.4
| align="right" | 5.2
| align="right" | 1.66
|-
| 2011
| align="right" | 860
| align="right" | 12,848
| align="right" | 8,136
| align="right" | 4,712
| align="right" | 14.9
| align="right" | 9.4
| align="right" | 5.5
| align="right" | 1.70
|-
| 2012
| align="right" | 859
| align="right" | 13,786
| align="right" | 7,709
| align="right" | 6,077
| align="right" | 16.0
| align="right" | 9.0
| align="right" | 7.0
| align="right" | 1.83
|-
| 2013
| align="right" | 859
| align="right" | 13,365
| align="right" | 7,712
| align="right" | 5,653
| align="right" | 15.6
| align="right" | 9.0
| align="right" | 6.6
| align="right" | 1.80
|-
| 2014
| align="right" | 860
| align="right" | 13,397
| align="right" | 7,571
| align="right" | 5,826
| align="right" | 15.6
| align="right" | 8.8
| align="right" | 6.8
| align="right" | 1.83
|-
| 2015
| align="right" | 861
| align="right" | 12,627
| align="right" | 7,582
| align="right" | 5,045
| align="right" | 14.6
| align="right" | 8.8
| align="right" | 5.8
| align="right" | 1.75
|-
| 2016
| align="right" | 863
| align="right" | 12,191
| align="right" | 7,386
| align="right" | 4,805
| align="right" | 14.1
| align="right" | 8.5
| align="right" | 5.6
| align="right" | 1.72
|-
| 2017
| align="right" | 865
| align="right" | 11,092
| align="right" | 7,391
| align="right" | 3,701
| align="right" | 12.8
| align="right" | 8.5
| align="right" | 4.3
| align="right" | 1.61
|-
| 2018
| align="right" | 865
| align="right" | 10,881
| align="right" | 7,044
| align="right" | 3,837
| align="right" | 12.5
| align="right" | 8.1
| align="right" | 4.4
| align="right" | 1.61
|-
| 2019
| align="right" | 866
| align="right" | 9,973
| align="right" | 7,142
| align="right" | 2,831
| align="right" | 11.5
| align="right" | 8.2
| align="right" | 3.3
| align="right" | 1.51
|-
| 2020
| align="right" | 
| align="right" | 10,604
| align="right" | 8,624
| align="right" | 1,980
| align="right" | 12.2
| align="right" | 9.9
| align="right" | 2.3
| align="right" | 1.64
|-
| 2021
| align="right" | 
| align="right" | 10,462
| align="right" | 9,436
| align="right" | 1,026
| align="right" | 12.0
| align="right" | 10.8
| align="right" | 1.2
| align="right" | 1.67
|-
| 2022
| align="right" | 
| align="right" | 10,049
| align="right" | 8,010
| align="right" | 2,039
| align="right" | 11.5
| align="right" | 9.2
| align="right" | 2.3
| align="right" | 1.51
|-
| 2023
| align="right" | 
| align="right" | 9,941
| align="right" | 6,827
| align="right" | 3,114
| align="right" | 11.0
| align="right" | 7.5
| align="right" | 3.5
| align="right" | 1.53
|-
| 2024
| align="right" | 
| align="right" | 10,180
| align="right" | 6,963
| align="right" | 3,217
| align="right" | 11.2
| align="right" | 7.7
| align="right" | 3.5
| align="right" | 1.61
|}
Note: TFR 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 source.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gks.ru/wps/wcm/connect/rosstat_main/rosstat/ru/statistics/publications/catalog/doc_1137674209312 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324123734/http://www.gks.ru/wps/wcm/connect/rosstat_main/rosstat/ru/statistics/publications/catalog/doc_1137674209312 |archive-date=24 March 2013 |title=Каталог публикаций::Федеральная служба государственной статистики}}</ref>
<!--*'''Average life expectancy''': no data-->

===Ethnic groups===
Kabardino-Balkaria includes two major ethnic communities, the [[Kabarday|Kabardins]] (Circassians), who speak a [[Northwest Caucasian languages|North-West Caucasian language]], and the [[Balkars]] who speak a [[Turkic language]]. According to the [[Russian Census (2021)|2021 Census]],<ref name=census2021>{{cite web|title=Национальный состав населения|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/Tom5_tab1_VPN-2020.xlsx|publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service]]|accessdate=30 December 2022}}</ref> Kabardins make up 57.1% of the republic's population, followed by [[Russians]] (19.8%) and Balkars (13.7%). Other groups include [[Cherkess]] (3.0%), [[Turkish people|Turks]] (1.9%), [[Ossetians]] (0.8%), [[Romani people|Romani]] (0.5%), and a host of smaller groups, each accounting for less than 0.5% of the total population.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right;"
|-bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! rowspan="2" | Ethnic<br />group
! colspan="2" | 1926 Census<sup>1</sup>
! colspan="2" | 1939 Census
! colspan="2" | 1959 Census
! colspan="2" | 1970 Census
! colspan="2" | 1979 Census
! colspan="2" | 1989 Census
! colspan="2" | 2002 Census
! colspan="2" | 2010 Census
! colspan="2" | 2021 Census<sup>3</sup>
|-bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
|-
| align="left"| [[Kabardians|Kabardin]]
| 122,237
|54.2%
| 152,237
|42.4%
| 190,284
|45.3%
| 264,675
|45.0%
| 303,604
|45.5%
| 364,494
|48.2%
| 498,702<sup>2</sup>
|55.3%
| 490,453
|57.2%
| 502,615
|57.1%
|-
| align="left"| [[Balkars]]
| 33,197
|14.7%
| 40,747
|11.3%
| 34,088
|8.1%
| 51,356
|8.7%
| 59,710
|9.0%
| 70,793
|9.4%
| 104,951
|11.6%
| 108,577
|12.7%
| 120,898
|13.7%
|-
|align="left"|  [[Russians]]
| 32,622
|14.5%
| 129,067
|35.9%
| 162,586
|38.7%
| 218,595
|37.2%
| 234,137
|35.1%
| 240,750
|31.9%
| 226,620
|25.1%
| 193,155
|22.5%
| 174,768
|19.8%
|-
|align="left"|  [[Ossetians]]
| 3,839
|1.7%
| 4,608
|1.3%
| 6,442
|1.5%
| 9,167
|1.6%
| 9,710
|1.5%
| 9,996
|1.3%
| 9,845
|1.1%
| 9,129
|1.1%
| 6,877
|0.8%
|-
| align="left"| [[Ukrainians]]
| 24,723
|11.0%
| 11,142
|3.1%
| 8,400
|2.0%
| 10,620
|1.8%
| 12,139
|1.8%
| 12,826
|1.7%
| 7,592
|0.8%
| 4,800
|0.6%
| 1,461
|0.2%
|-
| align="left"| [[Cherkess]]
| rowspan="2"| 8,803
|rowspan="2"| 3.9%
| rowspan="2"| 21,328
|rowspan="2"| 5.9%
| rowspan="2"| 18,315
|rowspan="2"| 4.4%
| rowspan="2"| 33,790
|rowspan="2"| 5.7%
| rowspan="2"| 47,246
|rowspan="2"| 7.1%
| 614
|0.1%
| 725
|0.1%
| 2,475
|0.3%
| 26,544
|3.0%
|-
|align="left"|  Others

| 55,058
|7.3%
| 53,059
|5.9%
| 49,081
|5.7%
| 47,748
|5.7%
|-
|align="left" colspan="19"| <sup>1</sup> <small> The results of the 1926 census refer to the present territory, which is a combination of the Kabardo-Balkarian AO and a part of the Terek district. The latter area was mainly inhabited by [[Russians]] and [[Ukrainians]].</small><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnkbr.html |title = население кабардино-балкарии}}</ref> 
<sup>2</sup> <small>In view of the results of the 1989 census and the 2010 census, the number of [[Kabardins]] in 2002 seems unlikely high.</small><br>
<sup>3</sup> <small>23,289  people were registered from administrative databases, and could not declare an ethnicity. It is estimated that the proportion of ethnicities in this group is the same as that of the declared group.</small><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.perepis-2010.ru/news/detail.php?ID=6936 |title=ВПН-2010 |access-date=22 December 2011 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225111852/http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/perepis2010/croc/perepis_itogi1612.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

<gallery>
File:Верхняя Балкария. Мечеть..jpg|Mosque in Kabardino-Balkaria
File:Catholic church in Blagoveschenka, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia.jpg|Catholic church in Kabardino-Balkaria ([[Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Clement at Saratov|Diocese of Saratov]], Blagoveshchenka)
File:1936 год. Жабоев М. из селения Нижний Хулам за игрой в "Сыбызгы", на празднике в честь 15 -летия Кабардино-Балкарии.jpg|Balkars in 1936
File:Beslan Mudranov 01.jpg|Kabardian wrestler [[Beslan Mudranov]] won Russia's first gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics
</gallery>

===Religion===
{{Bar box
|title=Religion in Kabardino-Balkaria as of 2012 (Sreda Arena Atlas)<ref name="2012ArenaAtlas">[http://sreda.org/en/arena "Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia"]. Sreda, 2012.</ref><ref name="2012Arena-religion-maps">[http://c2.kommersant.ru/ISSUES.PHOTO/OGONIOK/2012/034/ogcyhjk2.jpg 2012 Arena Atlas Religion Maps]. "Ogonek", № 34 (5243), 27 August 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2017. [https://web.archive.org/web/20170421154615/http://c2.kommersant.ru/ISSUES.PHOTO/OGONIOK/2012/034/ogcyhjk2.jpg Archived].</ref>
|float=right
|bars=
{{Bar percent|[[Islam in Russia|Islam]]|Green|70.8}}
{{Bar percent|[[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodoxy]]|DarkOrchid|11.6}}
{{Bar percent|Other [[Christianity in Russia|Christians]]|DeepSkyBlue|4}}
{{Bar percent|Native faiths|Red|1.8}}
{{Bar percent|[[Spiritual but not religious]]|DarkSlateGray|5.6}}
{{Bar percent|[[Atheism]] and [[irreligion]]|Black|4.4}}
{{Bar percent|Other and undeclared|Gray|1.8}}
}}

According to a 2012 survey which interviewed 56,900 people,<ref name="2012ArenaAtlas"/> 70.8% of the population of Kabardino-Balkaria adhered to [[Islam]], 11.6% to the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], 3.8% were non-Orthodox [[Christians]], and 1.8% followed [[Adyghe people|Adyghe]] (Kabardian) folk religion and other indigenous faiths. In addition, 5.6% of the population declared to be "[[spiritual but not religious]]" and 4.4% was [[Atheism|atheist]] or followed other religions, including [[Jehovah's Witness]]es.<ref name="2012ArenaAtlas"/>

==See also==
*[[Caucasian Avars]]
*[[Bulgars]]
*[[List of chairmen of the Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic]]
*[[Minor hydro-electric plants of Kabardino-Balkaria]]
*[[Mount Imeon]]

==Notes==
{{notelist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book |title=The Territories of the Russian Federation 2003 |last=Bell |first=Imogen |publisher=Europa Publications |year=2003 |isbn=1-85743-191-X}}
*{{Cite Russian law
|ru_entity=Совет Республики Парламента Кабардино-Балкарской Республики
|ru_type=Закон
|ru_number=13-РЗ
|ru_date=4 августа 1994 г.
|ru_title=О государственном гимне Кабардино-Балкарской Республики
|ru_effective_date=18 августа 1994 г
|ru_published_in="Кабардино-Балкарская правда", №148
|ru_published_date=12 августа 1994 г
|ru_url=
|ru_amendment_type=Закона
|ru_amendment_number=13-РЗ
|ru_amendment_date=13 апреля 2015 г
|ru_amendment_title=О внесении изменений в статьи&nbsp;2 и&nbsp;4 Закона Кабардино-Балкарской Республики "О государственном гимне Кабардино-Балкарской Республики"
|en_entity=Council of the Republic of the Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
|en_type=Law
|en_number=13-RZ
|en_date=4 August 1994
|en_title=On the State Anthem of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
|en_effective_date=18 August 1994
|en_url=
|en_amendment_type=Law
|en_amendment_number=13-RZ
|en_amendment_date=13 April 2015
|en_amendment_title=On Amending Articles&nbsp;2 and&nbsp;4 of the Law of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic "On the State Anthem of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic"
}}
*{{RussiaBasicLawRef|kb}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Дударев|first1=В. А.|last2=Евсеева|first2=Н. А.|editor=И. Каманина|script-title=ru:СССР. Административно-территориальное деление союзных республик|year=1987|language=Russian|location=Moscow}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kabardino-Balkaria}}

*{{in lang|ru}} [http://glava.kbr.ru Official website of the Head of the Republic]
*[http://www.travel-images.com/russia7.html Pictures of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic]
*[[BBC News]]. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/4338292.stm Kabardino-Balkaria Profile]

{{Subdivisions of Russia}}
{{Kabardino-Balkaria}}
{{Countries and regions of the Caucasus}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Kabardino-Balkaria| ]]
[[Category:North Caucasus]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1936]]
[[Category:1936 establishments in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Regions of Europe with multiple official languages]]
[[Category:North Caucasian Federal District]]
[[Category:Republics of Russia]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Russian is an official language]]