What is the population of Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a city population of 6,747,815. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
City profile · Brazil · South America
Rio de Janeiro
City population
6,747,815
#2
in Brazil
#1
in Rio de Janeiro
#45
worldwide
-22.906, -43.182 · 936 km from Brasília
About Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's second-largest city and former capital, famous worldwide for its stunning natural setting between mountains and sea, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks. With over 13 million people in the metropolitan area, Rio blends tropical beauty with urban challenges in a uniquely Brazilian way.
Metro population
13,634,000
0.164% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+0.45%
Archive estimateDensity
2,012/km²
6,775 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 83
Coordinates
-22.906, -43.182
Record updated
13 April 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 2,250 in BrazilClosest 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 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 6.75M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Santos Dumont AirportSDU
2 km from the city centre
- Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International AirportGIG
13 km from the city centre
- Jacarepaguá - Roberto Marinho AirportRRJ
21 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Rio was founded by the Portuguese in 1565 as a strategic port. It became colonial Brazil's capital in 1763 and the seat of the Portuguese Empire when the royal family fled Napoleon in 1808. After Brazilian independence, Rio remained the capital until Brasília was built in 1960. The city hosted the 2016 Olympics.
Economy
Rio is Brazil's second-largest economy after São Paulo. Key sectors include oil and gas (Petrobras headquarters), tourism, media, services, and the port. The city faces economic challenges as oil revenues decline and traditional industries shrink. Inequality is stark, with favelas neighboring wealthy areas.
Culture
Rio is the cultural heart of Brazil. Carnival, with samba schools parading in the Sambadrome, is the world's biggest party. Bossa nova originated here. Beach culture at Copacabana and Ipanema is iconic. Football is a passion—Maracanã Stadium is legendary. The carioca (Rio native) lifestyle emphasizes enjoyment of life.
Transportation
Rio has a metro system covering key areas, with expansion ongoing. Buses are extensive but traffic is severe. The Santos Dumont Airport handles domestic flights downtown; Galeão International handles international. Cable cars connect some areas. Uber is popular. The BRT system serves Olympics-era routes.
Current Challenges
Rio faces significant challenges: violent crime (particularly in favelas), police violence, inequality, infrastructure deterioration, and economic decline. The Olympics left white elephants and debt. Drug trafficking affects many communities. Urban flooding occurs during heavy rains. Environmental issues affect Guanabara Bay.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Christ the Redeemer (New 7 Wonders)
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Copacabana Beach
- Ipanema Beach
- Maracanã Stadium
- Tijuca National Park
- Santa Teresa neighborhood
- Sambadrome
What Rio de Janeiro Is Known For
- Christ the Redeemer
- Carnival
- Beaches
- Samba
- Football
Universities
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
- PUC-Rio
- UERJ
Sports Teams
- Flamengo
- Fluminense
- Vasco da Gama
- Botafogo (football)
Interesting Facts
- Christ the Redeemer is 30 meters tall and visible from throughout the city
- Rio's Carnival is the world's largest party with 2 million people per day on the streets
- Sugarloaf Mountain was one of the first cable car systems in the world (1912)
- The Sambadrome fits 90,000 spectators
- Rio has the world's largest urban forest (Tijuca National Park)
- Copacabana beach mosaic pattern is a Burle Marx design
Population Trend in Brazil
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 53,408,551 |
| 1960 | 72,388,126 |
| 1970 | 95,375,651 |
| 1980 | 121,207,461 |
| 1990 | 149,143,223 |
| 2000 | 174,018,282 |
| 2010 | 193,701,929 |
| 2020 | 208,660,842 |
| 2030 | 216,074,411 |
| 2040 | 219,237,084 |
| 2050 | 217,489,299 |
| 2060 | 211,038,801 |
| 2070 | 200,893,056 |
| 2080 | 188,598,788 |
| 2090 | 175,780,972 |
| 2100 | 163,364,064 |
Rio de Janeiro Population FAQ
Where is Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 936 km from the capital, Brasília. Its coordinates are -22.906, -43.182.
How big is Rio de Janeiro compared with other cities in Brazil?
It is the 2nd largest of the 2,250 cities listed in Brazil, holding 3.2% of the national population.