What is the population of Munich?
Munich's metropolitan area has about 1,578,000 people, making it the 126th largest metro area in our dataset of 140 major cities.
In Germany · Also known as Weltstadt mit Herz (World City with Heart), Athens on the Isar, Millionendorf (Village of Millions)
Metro population
1,578,000
0.019% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.45%
About 19 people a day
Archive estimateDensity
5,090/km²
310 km² metro area
City proper
1,505,005
Within the administrative boundary
GeoNamesAbout Munich
Munich (München) is the capital of Bavaria and Germany's third-largest city, with about 1.5 million residents. Known for its blend of tradition and high-tech industry, Munich is home to BMW, Siemens, and Allianz. The city is famous for its beer culture, Oktoberfest (the world's largest folk festival), and proximity to the Alps. Munich consistently ranks among Europe's most livable cities.
Key Facts
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Munich AirportMUC
29 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Munich was founded in 1158 and became the seat of the Wittelsbach dynasty, who ruled Bavaria for over 700 years. The city flourished as a cultural center in the 19th century under King Ludwig I. Hitler's Nazi party originated in Munich, and the city hosted the 1972 Olympics, tragically marred by terrorism. Post-war Munich became a center for technology, media, and industry.
Economy
Munich has Germany's strongest economy and lowest unemployment. BMW Group is headquartered here, as is Siemens, Allianz, and Munich Re (the world's largest reinsurer). The city is a center for high-tech industries including IT, biotech, and aerospace (Airbus has major operations nearby). Publishing, media (Bavaria Film Studios), and tourism are significant. Munich is Germany's startup capital.
Culture
Bavarian culture permeates Munich—lederhosen, dirndls, beer gardens, and brass bands are not just for tourists. The city has world-class museums (Pinakothek museums, Deutsches Museum) and the Bavarian State Opera. Oktoberfest draws 6 million visitors annually. Christmas markets are magical. The café and beer hall culture is legendary—Hofbräuhaus is the world's most famous. Munich has vibrant contemporary art and music scenes.
Transportation
Munich has an excellent integrated transport system (MVV) with U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses. The city is bike-friendly with extensive paths. Munich Airport is Germany's second-largest and a major European hub. ICE high-speed trains connect to all German cities and beyond. The Autobahn network provides road connections throughout Europe.
Current Challenges
Munich faces extreme housing costs—among Germany's highest. Traffic congestion exists despite good public transport. The city struggles with integrating the large international workforce. Air quality issues arise from traffic and industry. The Oktoberfest's excesses are controversial. Competition for tech talent with Berlin and international cities is intense.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Marienplatz and Glockenspiel
- Frauenkirche (Cathedral)
- Nymphenburg Palace
- English Garden (one of world's largest urban parks)
- BMW Welt and Museum
- Hofbräuhaus beer hall
- Viktualienmarkt (food market)
- Residenz (former royal palace)
What Munich Is Known For
- Oktoberfest
- Beer
- BMW
- Architecture
- Alps access
- Football (Bayern)
Universities
- Ludwig Maximilian University
- Technical University of Munich
Sports Teams
- FC Bayern Munich (football)
- EHC Red Bull München (ice hockey)
Interesting Facts
- Oktoberfest visitors consume over 7 million liters of beer annually
- The English Garden is larger than New York's Central Park
- Munich has over 50 breweries
- The Deutsches Museum is the world's largest science and technology museum
- BMW's headquarters is designed to look like a four-cylinder engine
- Surfing is popular on the Eisbach wave in the English Garden
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 |
| Munich | 1.58M |
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.
Munich Population FAQ
What is the difference between Munich's city and metro population?
About 1,505,005 people live within the city proper, while the wider metropolitan area holds roughly 1,578,000. Metro figures include surrounding commuter areas that fall outside the city's administrative boundary.
Is Munich growing or shrinking?
Munich is growing at +0.45% a year.
What share of Germany's population lives in Munich?
Munich's metro area holds about 1.9% of Germany's total population.
How densely populated is Munich?
Munich has roughly 5,090 people per km² across a metro area of about 310 km².
Which airports serve Munich?
The nearest major airports are Munich Airport (MUC).
Which country is Munich in?
Munich is in Germany, in Europe.
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- #4 São PauloBrazil · 22.6M · +0.75%
- #5 DhakaBangladesh · 22.5M · +2.89%
- #6 Mexico CityMexico · 22.3M · +0.80%