What is the population of Prague?
Prague's metropolitan area has about 1,318,000 people, making it the 133rd largest metro area in our dataset of 140 major cities.
In Czech Republic · Also known as City of a Hundred Spires, Golden City, Heart of Europe
Metro population
1,318,000
0.016% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.35%
About 13 people a day
Archive estimateDensity
2,657/km²
496 km² metro area
City proper
1,165,581
Within the administrative boundary
GeoNamesAbout Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, with 1.3 million residents. The city is famous for its stunning medieval architecture, which largely survived WWII intact, including the world's largest ancient castle complex. Prague has transformed from a communist-era backwater to one of Europe's most visited destinations and a growing tech hub.
Key Facts
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Continent
- Europe
- World rank
- #133 of 140
- Share of country
- 12.1%
- Founded
- 800
- Leadership
- Bohuslav Svoboda
- Elevation
- 202 m
- Coordinates
- 50.088, 14.421
- Climate
- Humid continental; warm summers; cold winters with snow; pleasant spring and autumn
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Václav Havel Airport PraguePRG
12 km from the city centre
- Pardubice AirportPED
95 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Prague was founded in the 9th century and became capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia. Under Charles IV (14th century), it was the Holy Roman Empire's capital. The city was a center of the Protestant Reformation (Jan Hus) and Thirty Years' War. Habsburg rule ended in 1918. Communist rule (1948-1989) ended with the Velvet Revolution. The Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004.
Economy
Prague has the Czech Republic's strongest economy, driven by services, tourism (8 million+ visitors annually), technology, and manufacturing. Major companies include Škoda Auto (nearby), Avast, and numerous tech startups. The city attracts significant foreign investment. Cost of living is lower than Western Europe, attracting digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
Culture
Prague's culture spans Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture preserved almost perfectly. Kafka, Dvořák, and Czech Cubism emerged here. Beer culture is central—the Czech Republic has the world's highest per-capita consumption. Puppet theater is a tradition. The city has a vibrant nightlife and arts scene. Christmas markets are famous.
Transportation
Prague Metro has three lines serving 1.3 million daily passengers. Trams are iconic and extensive. Václav Havel Airport connects to major European cities. The city is walkable, especially the historic center. Trains connect to Vienna, Berlin, and other capitals. Uber and Bolt operate alongside taxis.
Current Challenges
Prague faces overtourism in the historic center, housing affordability crisis (prices have tripled since 2010), Airbnb's impact on residential neighborhoods, and traffic congestion. Preserving the historic center while modernizing is a balance. The city relies heavily on tourism, creating vulnerability.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Prague Castle (largest ancient castle complex)
- Charles Bridge
- Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock
- St. Vitus Cathedral
- Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
- Wenceslas Square
- Petřín Tower
- Dancing House
What Prague Is Known For
- Medieval architecture
- Beer
- Charles Bridge
- Kafka
- Astronomical Clock
- Nightlife
Universities
- Charles University
- Czech Technical University
- University of Economics
Sports Teams
- Sparta Prague
- Slavia Prague (football)
- HC Sparta Praha (hockey)
Interesting Facts
- Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world
- The Astronomical Clock dates to 1410 and still works
- Prague has more Michelin-starred restaurants than Rome
- Czechs drink more beer per capita than any other nation
- The Dancing House was designed by Frank Gehry
- Mozart premiered Don Giovanni in Prague
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 |
| Prague | 1.32M |
Population Trend in Czech Republic
No free source publishes metropolitan population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 8,916,711 |
| 1960 | 9,541,605 |
| 1970 | 9,801,252 |
| 1980 | 10,275,403 |
| 1990 | 10,301,988 |
| 2000 | 10,236,804 |
| 2010 | 10,464,035 |
| 2020 | 10,550,129 |
| 2030 | 10,425,089 |
| 2040 | 10,107,226 |
| 2050 | 9,825,543 |
| 2060 | 9,451,249 |
| 2070 | 8,972,728 |
| 2080 | 8,627,728 |
| 2090 | 8,418,482 |
| 2100 | 8,228,076 |
Nearest Major Cities
Closest cities in our dataset by great-circle distance.
Prague Population FAQ
What is the difference between Prague's city and metro population?
About 1,165,581 people live within the city proper, while the wider metropolitan area holds roughly 1,318,000. Metro figures include surrounding commuter areas that fall outside the city's administrative boundary.
Is Prague growing or shrinking?
Prague is growing at +0.35% a year.
What share of Czech Republic's population lives in Prague?
Prague's metro area holds about 12.1% of Czech Republic's total population.
How densely populated is Prague?
Prague has roughly 2,657 people per km² across a metro area of about 496 km².
Which airports serve Prague?
The nearest major airports are Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG), Pardubice Airport (PED).
Which country is Prague in?
Prague is in Czech Republic, in Europe.
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