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Portugal Regions and Population

Introduction

Portugal is a European country located on the western side of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by Spain to the north and east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. The country also includes the autonomous archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean.

Portugal had a resident population of 10,343,066 people in the 2021 Census. Population is unevenly distributed across the country, with the largest concentrations around Lisbon and Porto and along much of the Atlantic coast. Inland areas generally have lower population densities.

For administrative purposes, Portugal has 18 districts on the mainland and two autonomous regions: the Azores and Madeira. The autonomous regions have their own regional governments, while the mainland districts are traditional administrative divisions.

The population figures in this article are based on the 2021 Portuguese Census, with the district and autonomous-region structure corresponding to the data used by City Population and Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE).

1. Lisbon District

Population: 2,275,385

Lisbon is Portugal’s most populous district and contains the country’s capital, Lisbon. It is the country’s principal political, economic, financial and international centre.

The district had approximately 2.28 million residents in the 2021 Census, accounting for about 22% of Portugal’s population. Its population is strongly concentrated in the Lisbon metropolitan area, where major municipalities such as Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Loures and Amadora form a highly urbanized population corridor.

Lisbon is also one of Portugal’s most densely populated areas. City Population’s administrative data show the district’s municipalities and population development through the 2021 Census.

2. Porto District

Population: 1,785,405

Porto is the second-most populous district of Portugal. Its principal city, Porto, is the country’s major urban centre in the north and the heart of a large metropolitan area.

The district had 1,785,405 residents in 2021, representing roughly 17.3% of Portugal’s total population.

Population is concentrated around Porto and neighbouring municipalities including Vila Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar. The Porto metropolitan area is one of the country’s two dominant urban concentrations.

3. Setúbal District

Population: 874,806

Setúbal is one of Portugal’s most populous districts and is located immediately south of Lisbon. Its location within the wider Lisbon metropolitan sphere contributes to its substantial population.

The district had 874,806 residents in 2021. Important population centres include Setúbal, Almada, Seixal, Barreiro and Montijo.

The northern part of the district has particularly strong connections with Lisbon through employment, transportation and urban development.

4. Aveiro District

Population: 700,787

Aveiro is located in northern-central Portugal along the Atlantic coast. It had 700,787 residents in 2021.

The district includes the city of Aveiro as well as a number of economically important municipalities. Its coastal position and proximity to Porto contribute to its relatively high population concentration.

5. Braga District

Population: 846,293

Braga is one of the most important population centres in northern Portugal. Despite being geographically smaller than some inland districts, it has a large population concentrated around Braga and the surrounding urban area.

The district recorded 846,293 residents in the 2021 Census. Braga is an important centre for education, commerce, manufacturing, technology and religious heritage.

6. Faro District

Population: 467,343

Faro District covers Portugal’s Algarve region in the country’s southernmost mainland area.

It had 467,343 residents in 2021. Population is concentrated in coastal municipalities and cities, including Faro, Portimão, Albufeira and Lagos.

Tourism, services, construction, commerce and seasonal migration have an important influence on the demographic character of the Algarve.

7. Leiria District

Population: 458,605

Leiria District lies in central Portugal between the major urban areas of Lisbon and Coimbra.

It had 458,605 residents in 2021. Leiria is the principal urban centre, while other important municipalities contribute to the district’s diversified economy.

The district combines coastal settlements, industrial centres, agricultural areas and inland communities.

8. Santarém District

Population: 424,973

Santarém District is situated in central Portugal along the Tagus River basin.

The district recorded 424,973 residents in 2021. Santarém, the district capital, is known for its historical heritage and strategic location between Lisbon and central Portugal.

The population is distributed among numerous municipalities, with stronger concentrations around major transport corridors and urban centres.

9. Coimbra District

Population: 408,551

Coimbra District had 408,551 residents in the 2021 Census.

Coimbra is the district’s main urban centre and is internationally recognized for its historic university and cultural heritage. The district occupies an important position between Lisbon and Porto.

Population is distributed across urban, coastal and inland municipalities.

10. Viseu District

Population: 351,292

Viseu District is located in central-northern Portugal and had 351,292 residents in 2021.

Viseu is the principal population centre. The district contains extensive inland areas and has a lower overall population density than the major coastal districts.

11. Madeira Autonomous Region

Population: 250,744

Madeira is one of Portugal’s two autonomous regions. It is an Atlantic archipelago located southwest of mainland Portugal.

The region had 250,744 residents in the 2021 Census. Funchal is its principal city and by far its largest population centre.

Madeira has its own regional government and legislative assembly. Tourism is one of the most important parts of its economy. The official regional statistics authority confirmed the 2021 Census population of 250,744.

12. Azores Autonomous Region

Population: 236,413

The Azores are an autonomous Portuguese archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The region had 236,413 residents in 2021. Its population is spread among nine principal islands and 19 municipalities.

Ponta Delgada, located on São Miguel Island, is the largest urban and administrative centre of the Azores.

13. Viana do Castelo District

Population: 231,266

Viana do Castelo is located in northern Portugal along the Atlantic coast and the Spanish border.

The district had 231,266 residents in 2021. Its principal city is Viana do Castelo, while other municipalities contribute to the district’s coastal and inland population.

14. Vila Real District

Population: 185,695

Vila Real is an inland district in northern Portugal. It recorded 185,695 residents in 2021.

The district is characterized by mountainous landscapes, rural settlements, vineyards and smaller urban centres. Vila Real is the main population and administrative centre.

15. Castelo Branco District

Population: 177,962

Castelo Branco District is located in central-eastern Portugal near the Spanish border.

It had 177,962 residents in 2021. Castelo Branco is the principal city, while other municipalities extend across a relatively large inland territory.

16. Évora District

Population: 152,444

Évora District is located in the Alentejo region of southern-central Portugal.

The district had 152,444 residents in 2021. Évora is the principal city and an important historical and cultural centre.

Large parts of the district have relatively low population density compared with Portugal’s coastal metropolitan areas.

17. Beja District

Population: 144,401

Beja District is one of Portugal’s largest districts by area but has a relatively small population.

It had 144,401 residents in 2021. The district is part of the Alentejo and includes extensive agricultural and rural areas.

Beja is the main urban and administrative centre.

18. Guarda District

Population: 142,974

Guarda District is located in northeastern-central Portugal near the Spanish border.

It had 142,974 residents in 2021. Guarda is the principal city and is one of the country’s highest-elevation urban centres.

The district contains extensive rural and mountainous areas, resulting in comparatively low population density.

19. Bragança District

Population: 122,804

Bragança is Portugal’s northeasternmost district and borders Spain.

The district had 122,804 residents in 2021. Bragança is its principal city, while other municipalities such as Mirandela and Macedo de Cavaleiros provide additional urban centres.

City Population records Bragança District at 122,804 residents in the 2021 Census and provides population figures for its municipalities.

20. Portalegre District

Population: 104,923

Portalegre is the least populous of Portugal’s 18 mainland districts.

It had 104,923 residents in 2021. The district is located in the Alentejo and contains extensive rural and low-density areas.

Portalegre is the principal administrative centre.

Largest Regions of Portugal by Population

The population distribution of Portugal is highly concentrated in a relatively small number of districts.

The five largest districts or autonomous regions by 2021 population were:

1. Lisbon — 2,275,385

2. Porto — 1,785,405

3. Setúbal — 874,806

4. Aveiro — 700,787

5. Braga — 846,293

Together, Lisbon and Porto alone accounted for more than four million residents in the 2021 Census. Their metropolitan areas are the country’s two most important population concentrations.

Smallest Regions of Portugal by Population

The smallest population totals were recorded mainly in inland mainland districts.

The five least populous administrative areas in the 2021 Census were:

1. Portalegre — 104,923

2. Bragança — 122,804

3. Guarda — 142,974

4. Beja — 144,401

5. Évora — 152,444

These districts contain extensive rural and mountainous areas and generally have much lower population densities than Lisbon, Porto and other coastal urban centres.

Portugal’s Population Distribution

Portugal’s population is not evenly distributed across its territory.

The largest concentrations occur along the Atlantic coast, especially around the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas. Other important population centres include Braga, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, Setúbal and Faro.

In contrast, large parts of the interior of northern, central and southern Portugal have considerably lower population densities. Districts such as Bragança, Guarda, Portalegre, Beja and Vila Real contain extensive rural and mountainous areas.

This coastal concentration has developed over decades through urbanization, industrialization, employment opportunities, transportation development and migration toward larger cities.

Portugal’s Largest Cities

Portugal’s district population figures should not be confused with city populations. A district can contain many municipalities and cities, while a city may represent only part of its wider district.

According to 2021 urban population data associated with City Population, some of Portugal’s largest urban centres include:

City Population distinguishes urban-area or city-level figures from wider administrative populations. Its urban-area pages use the 2021 Census and identify the district or region in which each urban area is located.

Portugal Population by District: Key Facts

• Lisbon is Portugal’s most populous district.

• Porto is the second-largest district by population.

• Setúbal is the third-largest.

• Braga and Aveiro are major northern population centres.

• Madeira and the Azores are Portugal’s two autonomous regions.

• Portalegre is the least populous mainland district.

• Bragança and Guarda also have relatively small populations.

• Population is strongly concentrated along the Atlantic coast.

• Lisbon and Porto are the country’s two dominant metropolitan population centres.

• Portugal recorded 10,343,066 residents in the 2021 Census.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many regions does Portugal have?

Portugal has 18 mainland districts and two autonomous regions, Madeira and the Azores. In broader statistical classifications, Portugal can also be divided into regions based on NUTS and other regional systems.

What is the most populated region of Portugal?

The Lisbon District was the most populous administrative area in the 2021 Census, with 2,275,385 residents.

What is the second most populated district in Portugal?

Porto District was second, with 1,785,405 residents in 2021.

What is the least populated district in Portugal?

Portalegre District was the least populated mainland district, with 104,923 residents in 2021.

What is the population of Portugal?

Portugal had 10,343,066 residents in the 2021 Census.

Which Portuguese district has the highest population density?

Lisbon District has the highest population density among Portugal’s districts, reflecting its large metropolitan population and relatively compact territory.

How many autonomous regions does Portugal have?

Portugal has two autonomous regions: Azores and Madeira.

What is the population of Madeira?

Madeira had 250,744 residents in the 2021 Census.

What is the population of the Azores?

The Azores had 236,413 residents in the 2021 Census.

Which is the largest city in Portugal?

Lisbon is Portugal’s largest city by city-level population in the 2021 Census data used by City Population.

Is Lisbon District the same as Lisbon city?

No. Lisbon District is a much larger administrative area containing multiple municipalities. Lisbon city is only one urban centre within the district.

Is Porto District the same as Porto city?

No. Porto District contains Porto city as well as many other municipalities and urban areas.

Which Portuguese region has the smallest population?

Among the 18 mainland districts and two autonomous regions, Portalegre had the smallest population in the 2021 Census, with 104,923 residents.

Sources

• City Population – Portugal Cities and Urban Population
• City Population – Portugal Administrative Division
• Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Portugal — 2021 Census population data. The City Population district pages identify INE as the source of the census figures.
• Portugal Districts and Autonomous Regions – 2021 Census data