What is the population of Paris?
Paris has a city population of 2,138,551. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
Capital city · France · Europe
Paris
City population
2,138,551
#1
in France
#1
in Ile-de-France
#188
worldwide
48.853, 2.349
About Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with a metropolitan population exceeding 11 million. Known as the 'City of Light,' Paris is a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. The city's romantic ambiance, historic architecture, and cultural institutions make it one of the world's most visited destinations.
Metro population
11,142,000
0.134% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.25%
Archive estimateDensity
3,916/km²
2,845 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 236
Founded
-30
Leadership
Emmanuel Grégoire
Coordinates
48.853, 2.349
Record updated
23 February 2026
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 640 in FranceClosest 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 |
| Paris | 2.14M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Paris-Le Bourget International AirportLBG
14 km from the city centre
- Paris-Orly AirportORY
14 km from the city centre
- Charles de Gaulle International AirportCDG
23 km from the city centre
- Beauvais-Tillé airportBVA
69 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Paris was founded in the 3rd century BCE by a Celtic tribe called the Parisii. The city flourished in the Middle Ages and became Europe's largest city. The French Revolution (1789) transformed France and the world from Paris. Baron Haussmann's 19th-century renovations created the boulevard system. Paris hosted World Expos and Olympics, shaping modern urban planning.
Economy
Paris has Europe's largest city economy. Key sectors include finance (La Défense is Europe's largest business district), fashion and luxury goods (headquarters of LVMH, Kering, L'Oréal), tourism, and aerospace. The city contributes about 30% of France's GDP. Paris is a global hub for art markets and design.
Culture
Paris is a global cultural capital. World-famous museums (Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou) house priceless collections. The fashion industry hosts premier shows. Café culture, fine dining, and wine are central to life. Philosophy, literature, and art have flourished for centuries. Cinema, theater, and music thrive.
Transportation
Paris Metro is one of the world's densest subway systems with 16 lines. RER commuter rail extends to suburbs. TGV high-speed trains connect to all of France and Europe. CDG and Orly airports serve the city. Vélib' bike-sharing is popular. The city is increasingly pedestrian-friendly.
Current Challenges
Paris faces challenges including extreme housing costs, air pollution, periodic protests and social unrest, and the integration of diverse populations in banlieues (suburbs). Tourism overcrowding affects certain areas. The city is working to address climate change and improve quality of life.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Eiffel Tower
- Louvre Museum
- Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Arc de Triomphe
- Sacré-Cœur
- Champs-Élysées
- Musée d'Orsay
- Versailles (nearby)
What Paris Is Known For
- Eiffel Tower
- Art museums
- Fashion
- Cuisine
- Romance
Universities
- Sorbonne
- Sciences Po
- École Normale Supérieure
- HEC Paris
Sports Teams
- Paris Saint-Germain (football)
- Stade Français (rugby)
Interesting Facts
- The Louvre is the world's largest and most visited museum
- Paris has only one stop sign in the entire city
- The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be temporary
- Paris has over 400 cheese shops
- The Catacombs hold the remains of 6 million people
- Paris hosted the 2024 Olympics
Population Trend in France
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 41,883,119 |
| 1960 | 46,428,134 |
| 1970 | 50,813,075 |
| 1980 | 53,941,061 |
| 1990 | 56,990,238 |
| 2000 | 59,483,717 |
| 2010 | 63,417,363 |
| 2020 | 65,905,277 |
| 2030 | 67,107,691 |
| 2040 | 67,938,904 |
| 2050 | 68,219,675 |
| 2060 | 67,850,295 |
| 2070 | 67,678,905 |
| 2080 | 68,024,937 |
| 2090 | 68,421,883 |
| 2100 | 68,484,558 |
Paris Population FAQ
Where is Paris?
Paris is in Ile-de-France, France. Its coordinates are 48.853, 2.349.
How big is Paris compared with other cities in France?
It is the 1st largest of the 640 cities listed in France, holding 3.1% of the national population.