What is the population of Prague?
Prague has a city population of 1,165,581. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
Capital city · Czech Republic · Europe
Prague
City population
1,165,581
#1
in Czech Republic
#1
in Prague
#463
worldwide
50.088, 14.421
About 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.
Metro population
1,318,000
0.016% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.35%
Archive estimateDensity
2,657/km²
496 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Prague
Rank in region
#1of 3
Founded
800
Leadership
Bohuslav Svoboda
Coordinates
50.088, 14.421
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 96 in Czech RepublicClosest 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 |
| Prague | 1.17M |
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
Population Trend in Czech Republic
No free source publishes city 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 |
Prague Population FAQ
Where is Prague?
Prague is in Prague, Czech Republic. Its coordinates are 50.088, 14.421.
How big is Prague compared with other cities in Czech Republic?
It is the 1st largest of the 96 cities listed in Czech Republic, holding 10.7% of the national population.