What is the population of Copenhagen?
Copenhagen has a city population of 1,153,615. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
Capital city · Denmark · Europe
Copenhagen
City population
1,153,615
#1
in Denmark
#1
in Capital Region
#470
worldwide
55.676, 12.566
About Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, with 800,000 residents and 2 million in the metro area. Consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities, Copenhagen is famous for cycling culture, New Nordic cuisine, design, sustainability leadership, and 'hygge' (cozy contentment). The city exemplifies Scandinavian values of equality, sustainability, and quality of life.
Metro population
1,366,000
0.016% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.75%
Archive estimateDensity
2,597/km²
526 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 22
Founded
1167
Leadership
Lars Weiss
Coordinates
55.676, 12.566
Record updated
5 September 2024
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. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 60 in DenmarkClosest 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 |
| Copenhagen | 1.15M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Copenhagen Kastrup AirportCPH
9 km from the city centre
- Copenhagen Roskilde AirportRKE
29 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Copenhagen originated as a Viking fishing village and became Denmark's capital in the 15th century. It prospered as a trade hub in the Baltic. Wars with Sweden and British bombardments in the 19th century caused destruction. The city industrialized and modernized. Post-WWII development created the welfare state. Copenhagen became a model for sustainable urban development.
Economy
Copenhagen is Scandinavia's largest city economy, centered on services, pharma (Novo Nordisk, Lundbeck), shipping (Maersk), and clean tech. The city is a leader in green economy. High wages and costs balance with quality of life. The Øresund Bridge connects to Malmö, Sweden, creating a cross-border region. Startups and innovation thrive.
Culture
Copenhagen's culture blends design excellence (Danish Modern), culinary innovation (Noma, multiple Michelin stars), and hygge lifestyle. Tivoli Gardens (1843) is one of the world's oldest amusement parks. Cycling is a way of life. The colorful Nyhavn harbor and Little Mermaid statue are iconic. Danes consistently rank among the world's happiest people.
Transportation
Copenhagen Metro is driverless and modern. Extensive S-train and bus networks complement it. Cycling infrastructure is world-leading—more than half of residents bike daily. Copenhagen Airport is Scandinavia's largest hub. Trains connect to Sweden via the Øresund Bridge. The city actively discourages car use.
Current Challenges
Copenhagen faces extremely high cost of living, housing shortages despite dense construction, integration of immigrants, and aging population. Climate change threatens this coastal, low-lying city. Maintaining welfare state quality amid demographic shifts is challenging. Competition with other Nordic capitals exists.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Tivoli Gardens
- Nyhavn harbor
- Little Mermaid statue
- Rosenborg Castle
- Christiansborg Palace
- Amalienborg Palace (royal residence)
- Strøget pedestrian street
- Freetown Christiania
- Copenhagen Opera House
What Copenhagen Is Known For
- Cycling
- Design
- Happiness
- New Nordic cuisine
- Sustainability
- Hygge
Universities
- University of Copenhagen
- Technical University of Denmark
- Copenhagen Business School
Sports Teams
- FC Copenhagen
- Brøndby IF (football)
Interesting Facts
- Copenhagen aims to be carbon-neutral by 2025
- More bicycles than cars are in Copenhagen—over 600,000 bikes
- Noma has been named the world's best restaurant multiple times
- Tivoli Gardens inspired Walt Disney
- Lego was invented in Denmark
- Copenhagen has a dedicated cycling 'highway' system
Population Trend in Denmark
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 4,268,404 |
| 1960 | 4,579,342 |
| 1970 | 4,928,668 |
| 1980 | 5,123,081 |
| 1990 | 5,141,025 |
| 2000 | 5,339,658 |
| 2010 | 5,547,863 |
| 2020 | 5,831,530 |
| 2030 | 6,081,995 |
| 2040 | 6,134,659 |
| 2050 | 6,124,838 |
| 2060 | 6,078,224 |
| 2070 | 6,036,603 |
| 2080 | 6,008,790 |
| 2090 | 5,940,877 |
| 2100 | 5,863,216 |
Copenhagen Population FAQ
Where is Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is in Capital Region, Denmark. Its coordinates are 55.676, 12.566.
How big is Copenhagen compared with other cities in Denmark?
It is the 1st largest of the 60 cities listed in Denmark, holding 19.2% of the national population.