What is the population of Berlin?
Berlin's metropolitan area has about 3,677,000 people, making it the 95th largest metro area in our dataset of 140 major cities.
In Germany · Also known as Arm aber sexy (Poor but sexy), The Grey City, Spree-Athen
Metro population
3,677,000
0.044% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.35%
About 35 people a day
Archive estimateDensity
4,123/km²
892 km² metro area
City proper
3,426,354
Within the administrative boundary
GeoNamesAbout Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany, with a population of 3.7 million in the city proper and over 6 million in the metropolitan area. A city defined by its tumultuous 20th-century history—from Nazi headquarters to Cold War division—Berlin has reinvented itself as Europe's creative capital. The city is known for its arts scene, nightlife, modern architecture, and multicultural atmosphere.
Key Facts
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Berlin Brandenburg AirportBER
19 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Berlin was founded in the 13th century and became capital of Prussia, then the German Empire (1871). It was devastated in WWII and divided by the Berlin Wall (1961-1989) during the Cold War. Reunification in 1990 began a massive rebuilding effort. The city has transformed from a divided outpost to a vibrant, unified European capital.
Economy
Berlin has Germany's largest startup ecosystem, earning nicknames like 'Silicon Allee.' Key sectors include technology, creative industries, media, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. Major companies include Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, and numerous tech firms. Despite growth, Berlin's GDP per capita trails other German cities. The service sector dominates.
Culture
Berlin is synonymous with avant-garde culture, underground music, and artistic freedom. The techno scene is world-famous, centered around clubs like Berghain. The city has over 170 museums, including Museum Island (UNESCO). Street art thrives. The multicultural population includes large Turkish, Vietnamese, and international communities. Berlin is notably affordable compared to other capitals.
Transportation
Berlin has an extensive U-Bahn (subway) and S-Bahn (urban rail) network. Trams operate in eastern districts. Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) opened in 2020 after years of delays. The city is very bike-friendly with extensive cycling infrastructure. ICE high-speed trains connect to other German and European cities.
Current Challenges
Berlin faces housing affordability crisis, with rents doubling in a decade. The city has higher unemployment than other German cities. Infrastructure investment is needed. Integration of diverse communities continues. The city's financial position has historically been weak compared to wealthy German states.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Brandenburg Gate
- Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery
- Reichstag Building
- Museum Island
- Checkpoint Charlie
- Berlin TV Tower
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
- Charlottenburg Palace
What Berlin Is Known For
- Berlin Wall history
- Techno music
- Art scene
- Startups
- Currywurst
- Nightlife
Universities
- Humboldt University
- Free University of Berlin
- Technical University of Berlin
Sports Teams
- Hertha BSC
- Union Berlin (football)
- Alba Berlin (basketball)
Interesting Facts
- Berlin has more bridges than Venice (approximately 960)
- The Berlin U-Bahn runs 24 hours on weekends
- There are more museums in Berlin than rainy days per year
- Berlin has the largest Turkish population outside Turkey
- The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years, 2 months, and 26 days
- Currywurst was invented in Berlin in 1949
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 |
| Berlin | 3.68M |
Population Trend in Germany
No free source publishes metropolitan population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 69,847,782 |
| 1960 | 72,811,640 |
| 1970 | 78,205,102 |
| 1980 | 78,315,375 |
| 1990 | 79,707,959 |
| 2000 | 81,797,258 |
| 2010 | 80,830,924 |
| 2020 | 83,628,708 |
| 2030 | 82,780,953 |
| 2040 | 80,551,736 |
| 2050 | 78,294,613 |
| 2060 | 75,604,605 |
| 2070 | 73,615,845 |
| 2080 | 72,112,514 |
| 2090 | 71,200,405 |
| 2100 | 70,899,863 |
Other Major Cities in Germany
2 more cities in our dataset.
Nearest Major Cities
Closest cities in our dataset by great-circle distance.
Berlin Population FAQ
What is the difference between Berlin's city and metro population?
About 3,426,354 people live within the city proper, while the wider metropolitan area holds roughly 3,677,000. Metro figures include surrounding commuter areas that fall outside the city's administrative boundary.
Is Berlin growing or shrinking?
Berlin is growing at +0.35% a year.
What share of Germany's population lives in Berlin?
Berlin's metro area holds about 4.4% of Germany's total population.
How densely populated is Berlin?
Berlin has roughly 4,123 people per km² across a metro area of about 892 km².
Which airports serve Berlin?
The nearest major airports are Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).
Which country is Berlin in?
Berlin is in Germany, 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%