What is the population of Barcelona?
Barcelona's metropolitan area has about 5,620,000 people, making it the 70th largest metro area in our dataset of 140 major cities.
In Spain · Also known as Ciudad Condal (City of Counts), Gateway to the Mediterranean, Barna
Metro population
5,620,000
0.068% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.25%
About 38 people a day
Archive estimateDensity
6,999/km²
803 km² metro area
City proper
1,686,208
Within the administrative boundary
GeoNamesAbout Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain's second-largest city, with 1.6 million residents and 5.5 million in the metro area. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is famous for Gaudí's architectural masterpieces, beaches, FC Barcelona, and a distinct Catalan identity. The city seamlessly blends Gothic heritage with modernist innovation and beach lifestyle.
Key Facts
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat AirportBCN
12 km from the city centre
- Girona-Costa Brava AirportGRO
76 km from the city centre
- Reus AirportREU
87 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Barcelona was founded by the Romans as Barcino. It became capital of the medieval Crown of Aragon. The industrial revolution made it Spain's manufacturing center. The 1888 and 1929 World's Fairs and the 1992 Olympics transformed the city. Catalan independence movement remains politically significant. Barcelona has long balanced Spanish and Catalan identities.
Economy
Barcelona is Spain's industrial and commercial powerhouse. Key sectors include tourism (12 million visitors annually), pharmaceuticals, automotive, IT, and creative industries. The port is the Mediterranean's largest. Major companies include Seat, Nestlé, and tech startups. Mobile World Congress brings global tech industry annually. The city is a Mediterranean business hub.
Culture
Barcelona's culture is distinctly Catalan. Antoni Gaudí's architecture (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell) defines the city. The Gothic Quarter preserves medieval charm. Beach culture thrives. FC Barcelona is more than a club—it's a symbol of Catalan identity. Cuisine features tapas, seafood, and Catalan specialties. Nightlife and festivals (La Mercè) are legendary.
Transportation
Barcelona Metro and FGC rail serve the city well. Buses and trams complement rail. Barcelona-El Prat Airport is Spain's second-busiest. AVE high-speed rail connects to Madrid in 2.5 hours. The city is bike-friendly with Bicing sharing system. Ferries connect to Balearic Islands.
Current Challenges
Barcelona faces severe overtourism (pre-pandemic 12 million visitors for 1.6 million residents), housing affordability crisis, tensions around Catalan independence, and gentrification displacing locals. Cruise ship pollution and beach overcrowding are issues. The city has implemented tourist restrictions including Airbnb bans in some areas.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Sagrada Familia
- Park Güell
- La Rambla
- Gothic Quarter
- Casa Batlló and Casa Milà
- Camp Nou Stadium
- Barceloneta Beach
- Picasso Museum
- Montjuïc
What Barcelona Is Known For
- Gaudí architecture
- FC Barcelona
- Beaches
- Catalan culture
- Nightlife
- Tapas
Universities
- University of Barcelona
- Autonomous University of Barcelona
- Pompeu Fabra University
Sports Teams
- FC Barcelona (football)
- RCD Espanyol
- FC Barcelona Bàsquet
Interesting Facts
- Sagrada Familia has been under construction since 1882
- Barcelona's grid-pattern Eixample was designed for sunlight and ventilation
- Gaudí was struck by a tram and mistaken for a beggar
- Barcelona has 4.5 km of beaches (created for the 1992 Olympics)
- FC Barcelona's Camp Nou is Europe's largest stadium
- The human tower (Castell) tradition is UNESCO heritage
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
Metropolitan population against the fifteen largest metro areas.
| Name | Metro population |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 37.4M |
| Delhi | 32.9M |
| Shanghai | 29.2M |
| São Paulo | 22.6M |
| Dhaka | 22.5M |
| Mexico City | 22.3M |
| Cairo | 22.2M |
| Mumbai | 21.7M |
| Beijing | 21.5M |
| Osaka | 19M |
| New York | 18.9M |
| Karachi | 17.1M |
| Kinshasa | 17.1M |
| Chongqing | 16.9M |
| Lagos | 15.9M |
| Barcelona | 5.62M |
Population Trend in Spain
No free source publishes metropolitan population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 28,077,049 |
| 1960 | 30,404,939 |
| 1970 | 33,812,723 |
| 1980 | 37,537,565 |
| 1990 | 39,084,979 |
| 2000 | 41,019,774 |
| 2010 | 46,840,471 |
| 2020 | 47,679,489 |
| 2030 | 47,610,520 |
| 2040 | 46,591,674 |
| 2050 | 44,928,558 |
| 2060 | 42,210,838 |
| 2070 | 39,035,769 |
| 2080 | 36,524,535 |
| 2090 | 34,774,237 |
| 2100 | 33,127,478 |
Other Major Cities in Spain
1 more city in our dataset.
- Madrid6.75M · +0.32%
Nearest Major Cities
Closest cities in our dataset by great-circle distance.
Barcelona Population FAQ
What is the difference between Barcelona's city and metro population?
About 1,686,208 people live within the city proper, while the wider metropolitan area holds roughly 5,620,000. Metro figures include surrounding commuter areas that fall outside the city's administrative boundary.
Is Barcelona growing or shrinking?
Barcelona is growing at +0.25% a year.
What share of Spain's population lives in Barcelona?
Barcelona's metro area holds about 11.4% of Spain's total population.
How densely populated is Barcelona?
Barcelona has roughly 6,999 people per km² across a metro area of about 803 km².
Which airports serve Barcelona?
The nearest major airports are Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), Reus Airport (REU).
Which country is Barcelona in?
Barcelona is in Spain, in Europe.
Explore More Cities
- #1 TokyoJapan · 37.4M · −0.14%
- #2 DelhiIndia · 32.9M · +2.78%
- #3 ShanghaiChina · 29.2M · +0.86%
- #4 São PauloBrazil · 22.6M · +0.75%
- #5 DhakaBangladesh · 22.5M · +2.89%
- #6 Mexico CityMexico · 22.3M · +0.80%