What is the population of Berlin?
Berlin has a city population of 3,426,354. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
Capital city · Germany · Europe
Berlin
State of Berlin · Germany
City population
3,426,354
#1
in Germany
#100
worldwide
52.524, 13.411
About 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.
Metro population
3,677,000
0.044% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.35%
Archive estimateDensity
4,123/km²
892 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
State of Berlin
Founded
1244
Leadership
Kai Wegner
Coordinates
52.524, 13.411
Record updated
22 July 2025
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured.
Nearby Cities
All 960 in GermanyClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Berlin | 3.43M |
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
Population Trend in Germany
No free source publishes city 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 |
Berlin Population FAQ
Where is Berlin?
Berlin is in State of Berlin, Germany. Its coordinates are 52.524, 13.411.
How big is Berlin compared with other cities in Germany?
It is the 1st largest of the 960 cities listed in Germany, holding 4.1% of the national population.