Bucharest's 2026 population is now estimated at 2,117,843. In 1992, the population of Bucharest was 2,188,461. Bucharest experienced a decrease of -6,307 residents over the past year, marking an annual decline of -0.3%. These population values and projections come from INSSE TEMPO POP107D city domicile population series and World Population Review Internal Projections .
The city of Bucharest has a very long history. It was first noted in written documents dating back to 1459 but did not become the center of Romania until 1862. When the world wars were being fought, and during the time of peace between them, Bucharest made a significant change in their overall architecture. The difference was so drastic and beautiful that the city of Bucharest was called, “Little Paris.” The city is still known for being a leader in architecture and remains a tourist attraction for those looking for unique structures.
The 2016 population estimate has calculated a total of 2,106,144. With an area of 228 square kilometers in the city proper and 285 square kilometers in the urbanized area, the population density comes to approximately 9,200 people living per square kilometer.
Like most cities throughout the world, Bucharest performs a census on its citizens every ten years. The last poll was in 2011 and showed that the overall population within Bucharest was 1,883,400 people. The current population reflects 9.365% of the total population of Romania.
What shapes a country is often the religious aspects of its people. The churches are where the population gathers for worship in their chosen faith, bringing them closer together and strengthening the community. The people of Bucharest are quite devoted to their chosen religion, and that is reflected in the fact that approximately 86.8% of the population is Eastern Orthodox. Other religions in Bucharest are Protestantism, which makes up 7.5% of the total population and Roman Catholicism, which accounts for 4.7% of the population.
The ethnic backgrounds of Bucharest reflect that of the rest of Romania, and 89.9% of the population is considered to be of Romanian descent. The other ethnicities within the city are 2.5% Romans, 6.6% Hungarians, .3% Ukrainians, .2% Russians, .3% Germans, and .2% Turkish. The other .4% of the population is as unclassified.
The official language of Bucharest is Romanian.
Education is a vital component of a city’s ability to be prosperous and, in this regard, the education system in Bucharest does face particular challenges due to the lack of emphasis put on the need for education. The risk of dropout is a staggering 94%, and those that are unable to attend even primary school remains at 71.4%. The standard education system within the city of Bucharest and that of the rest of Romania encourages students to participate in an average of 8.4 years of primary school and nine years of secondary school.
In Bucharest, children are quite fortunate as many organizations have worked to encourage the growth of the economy through helping children with their education. The numbers indicate that before these new programs there only 70% of children in the city could access education. Today that has grown to 86% and is growing further with each passing year. It has had the most effect on pre-school children who previously had little encouragement to attend school. It is hoped that these programs will continue to encourage children to learn and therefore develop the economy of Bucharest.
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bucharest | 2,117,843 | -0.3% |
| Iasi | 378,037 | -0.35% |
| Cluj-Napoca | 325,029 | -0.12% |
| Galati | 292,687 | -0.81% |
| Constanta | 292,671 | -1.05% |
| Timisoara | 291,424 | -1.86% |
| Brasov | 281,650 | -0.49% |
| Craiova | 277,357 | -1.3% |
| Oradea | 212,062 | -0.73% |
| Ploiesti | 204,656 | -1.59% |
| Bacau | 184,136 | -1.16% |
| Braila | 179,711 | -1.82% |
| Arad | 164,394 | -1.15% |
| Sibiu | 159,997 | -0.84% |
| Pitesti | 159,817 | -1.32% |
| Vaslui | 140,993 | 1.61% |
| Targu Mures | 136,831 | -1.2% |
| Baia Mare | 133,237 | -1.43% |
| Buzau | 118,038 | -1.75% |
| Suceava | 115,141 | -1.62% |
| Ramnicu Valcea | 111,455 | -0.88% |
| Satu Mare | 110,229 | -1.25% |
| Botosani | 109,971 | -1.42% |
| Piatra-Neamt | 104,211 | -1.26% |
| Drobeta-Turnu Severin | 96,134 | -1.54% |
| Bistrita | 94,284 | -0.07% |
| Targu Jiu | 88,769 | -1.06% |
| Focsani | 85,115 | -1.19% |
| Targoviste | 84,662 | -1.33% |
| Tulcea | 77,591 | -1.61% |
| Slatina | 76,215 | -1.26% |
| Resita | 75,714 | -1.82% |
| Alba Iulia | 74,096 | -0.17% |
| Calarasi | 68,388 | -1.56% |
| Zalau | 66,058 | -0.77% |
| Hunedoara | 65,567 | -1.51% |
| Barlad | 64,375 | -1.39% |
| Roman | 63,154 | -1.51% |
| Deva | 62,924 | -1.49% |
| Giurgiu | 59,888 | -1.68% |
| Sfantu Gheorghe | 59,733 | -1.07% |
| Medias | 52,693 | -1.24% |
| Popesti Leordeni | 51,742 | 4.78% |
| Turda | 51,157 | -1.33% |
| Voluntari | 49,694 | 2.12% |
| Tecuci | 48,040 | 0.91% |
| Slobozia | 47,359 | -1.37% |
| Onesti | 46,745 | -1.3% |
| Alexandria | 44,196 | -1.91% |
| Navodari | 43,932 | 0.47% |
| Pascani | 43,753 | -0.59% |
| Lugoj | 42,802 | -1.36% |
| Medgidia | 41,607 | -1.19% |
| Sighetu Marmatiei | 40,507 | -1.07% |
| Miercurea Ciuc | 39,280 | -0.89% |
| Bragadiru | 38,807 | 5.13% |
| Mangalia | 37,404 | -1.29% |
| Petrosani | 36,855 | -1.79% |
| Sacele | 36,795 | -0.06% |
| Ramnicu Sarat | 36,292 | -1.32% |
| Odorheiu Secuiesc | 35,841 | -1.03% |
| Dej | 35,800 | -1.02% |
| Fagaras | 35,146 | -1.48% |
| Reghin | 35,096 | -1.19% |
| Radauti | 35,067 | -0.28% |
| Husi | 34,752 | -0.58% |
| Pantelimon | 33,548 | 2.1% |
| Campina | 33,193 | -1.43% |
| Mioveni | 32,507 | -0.81% |
| Fetesti | 32,224 | -1.27% |
| Sebes | 31,874 | -0.42% |
| Campulung | 31,638 | -1.73% |
| Sighisoara | 31,019 | -1.2% |
| Caracal | 30,925 | -1.44% |
| Curtea de Arges | 29,879 | -1.29% |
| Falticeni | 29,254 | -1.01% |
| Borsa | 28,614 | -0.71% |
| Cisnadie | 27,851 | 2.9% |
| Dorohoi | 27,637 | -1.54% |
| Caransebes | 27,265 | -1.35% |
| Rosiori de Vede | 27,019 | -2.07% |
| Zarnesti | 25,531 | -0.59% |
| Campia Turzii | 25,393 | -1.25% |
| Codlea | 25,030 | -0.52% |
| Vulcan | 25,019 | -1.69% |
| Turnu Magurele | 24,756 | -2% |
| Oltenita | 24,499 | -1.59% |
| Cugir | 23,841 | -1.29% |
| Tarnaveni | 23,702 | -1.3% |
| Otopeni | 23,665 | 4.44% |
| Aiud | 23,556 | -1.27% |
| Buftea | 23,404 | 0.49% |
| Lupeni | 23,221 | -1.76% |
| Targu Neamt | 23,095 | 0.65% |
| Campulung Moldovenesc | 22,824 | 1.83% |
| Carei | 22,822 | -0.91% |
| Moinesti | 22,231 | -1.24% |
| Comanesti | 21,863 | -1.17% |
| Petrila | 21,734 | -1.71% |
| Gherla | 21,523 | -1% |
| Buhusi | 21,439 | -1.22% |
| Orastie | 19,932 | -1.52% |
| Blaj | 19,819 | -0.69% |
| Adjud | 19,008 | -0.92% |
| Motru | 18,970 | -2.07% |
| Bals | 18,924 | -1.24% |
| Rasnov | 18,774 | 0.3% |
| Gheorgheni | 18,385 | -1.1% |
| Bailesti | 18,384 | -0.85% |
| Targu Secuiesc | 18,356 | -1.14% |
| Dragasani | 18,334 | -1.55% |
| Tandarei | 18,271 | 0.36% |
| Moreni | 17,968 | -1.35% |
| Bocsa | 17,955 | -0.78% |
| Vicovu de Sus | 17,815 | 0.81% |
| Salonta | 17,761 | -0.95% |
| Baicoi | 17,748 | -0.94% |
| Cernavoda | 17,369 | -1.14% |
| Gura Humorului | 17,235 | -0.7% |
| Filiasi | 17,179 | -0.83% |
| Viseu de Sus | 16,906 | -0.83% |
| Baia Sprie | 16,904 | -0.06% |
| Harlau | 16,860 | 1.9% |
| Stefanesti | 16,792 | 0.83% |
| Simleu Silvaniei | 16,673 | -0.66% |
| Ludus | 16,626 | -0.72% |
| Ovidiu | 16,465 | 0.56% |
| Chitila | 16,271 | 0.48% |
| Calafat | 16,243 | -1.41% |
| Marghita | 16,217 | -1.4% |
| Negresti-Oas | 16,151 | -0.66% |
| Corabia | 15,642 | -1.52% |
| Santana | 15,425 | -0.25% |
| Urziceni | 15,407 | -1.28% |
| Vatra Dornei | 15,230 | -1.39% |
| Mizil | 15,191 | -1.03% |
| Avrig | 15,190 | -0.33% |
| Breaza | 14,995 | -1.19% |
| Toplita | 14,636 | -1.11% |
| Magurele | 14,616 | 3.96% |
| Darmanesti | 14,310 | -0.31% |
| Pecica | 14,188 | 0.09% |
| Gaesti | 13,955 | -1.08% |
| Brad | 13,950 | -1.51% |
| Pucioasa | 13,912 | -1.2% |
| Bolintin-Vale | 13,813 | -0.12% |
| Sannicolau Mare | 13,746 | -0.98% |
| Targu Frumos | 13,412 | -1.19% |
| Ocna Mures | 13,274 | -1% |
| Zimnicea | 13,253 | -1.65% |
| Valenii de Munte | 13,080 | -0.59% |
| Marasesti | 12,934 | -0.52% |
| Simeria | 12,896 | -0.92% |
| Jimbolia | 12,800 | -0.74% |
| Targu Lapus | 12,428 | -0.7% |
| Rovinari | 12,377 | -0.99% |
| Sangeorz-Bai | 12,363 | 0.6% |
| Darabani | 12,316 | -1.18% |
| Sacueni | 12,263 | -0.51% |
| Calan | 12,252 | -0.83% |
| Podu Iloaiei | 12,228 | 1.8% |
| Beclean | 12,086 | -0.19% |
| Targu Ocna | 11,931 | -1.05% |
| Moldova Noua | 11,875 | -1.5% |
| Salcea | 11,649 | 1.07% |
| Otelu Rosu | 11,430 | -1.16% |
| Oravita | 11,429 | -1.62% |
| Boldesti-Scaeni | 11,341 | -0.32% |
| Dolhasca | 11,234 | -0.34% |
| Flamanzi | 11,109 | -1.12% |
| Scornicesti | 11,101 | -0.9% |
| Comarnic | 11,080 | -1.28% |
| Orsova | 11,048 | -1.68% |
| Draganesti-Olt | 11,047 | -0.93% |
| Nasaud | 10,987 | -0.88% |
| Urlati | 10,965 | -0.89% |
| Jibou | 10,906 | -1.18% |
| Alesd | 10,880 | -0.43% |
| Agnita | 10,804 | -1.2% |
| Targu Bujor | 10,632 | 5.13% |
| Cristuru Secuiesc | 10,602 | -0.17% |
| Recas | 10,578 | 0.89% |
| Cajvana | 10,574 | 0.99% |
| Lipova | 10,570 | -0.99% |
| Dabuleni | 10,557 | -1.58% |
| Covasna | 10,479 | -0.8% |
| Videle | 10,478 | -1.24% |
| Eforie | 10,473 | -0.85% |
| Harsova | 10,411 | -1.03% |
| Strehaia | 10,353 | -1% |
| Beius | 10,338 | -1.04% |
| Valea lui Mihai | 10,275 | -0.82% |
| Tautii-Magheraus | 10,233 | 2.74% |
| Murfatlar | 10,230 | -1.4% |
| Roznov | 10,207 | -0.41% |
| Hateg | 10,139 | -0.74% |
| Liteni | 10,100 | -0.39% |
| Sinaia | 10,061 | -1.49% |
| Ianca | 10,053 | -0.96% |
| Babadag | 9,959 | -0.8% |
| Sovata | 9,849 | -0.7% |
| Nehoiu | 9,735 | -1.47% |
| Titu | 9,716 | -0.78% |
| Negresti | 9,626 | -0.96% |
| Macin | 9,503 | -1.69% |
| Seini | 9,481 | -0.24% |
| Iernut | 9,461 | -0.46% |
| Odobesti | 9,443 | -0.26% |
| Costesti | 9,340 | -1.5% |
| Intorsura Buzaului | 9,241 | -0.28% |
| Ineu | 9,204 | -0.6% |
| Siret | 9,189 | -0.57% |
| Topoloveni | 9,123 | -0.3% |
| Ghimbav | 9,055 | 4.31% |
| Huedin | 8,988 | -0.96% |
| Curtici | 8,965 | 0.26% |
| Techirghiol | 8,808 | 1.19% |
| Tasnad | 8,770 | -0.93% |
| Babeni | 8,729 | -0.81% |
| Busteni | 8,706 | -1.43% |
| Baraolt | 8,682 | -0.81% |
| Bumbesti-Jiu | 8,610 | -1.69% |
| Panciu | 8,406 | -1.5% |
| Uricani | 8,379 | -1.84% |
| Calimanesti | 8,355 | -0.77% |
| Targu Carbunesti | 8,246 | -0.69% |
| Pancota | 8,223 | 0.01% |
| Murgeni | 8,191 | -0.06% |
| Anina | 8,134 | -1.66% |
| Talmaciu | 8,076 | -0.47% |
| Ungheni | 8,073 | 0.61% |
| Buzias | 8,043 | -0.7% |
| Somcuta Mare | 8,002 | -0.11% |
| Dumbraveni | 7,999 | -0.98% |
| Amara | 7,902 | 0.09% |
| Chisineu-Cris | 7,895 | -0.62% |
| Plopeni | 7,865 | -1.66% |
| Victoria | 7,811 | -1% |
| Saveni | 7,789 | -0.71% |
| Segarcea | 7,671 | -0.61% |
| Faget | 7,593 | -0.04% |
| Turceni | 7,582 | -0.85% |
| Ulmeni | 7,545 | 0.12% |
| Deta | 7,535 | -0.17% |
| Ardud | 7,525 | -0.12% |
| Vlahita | 7,523 | -0.17% |
| Zlatna | 7,520 | -0.8% |
| Nadlac | 7,509 | -0.77% |
| Budesti | 7,491 | -0.13% |
| Bicaz | 7,465 | -1.72% |
| Mihailesti | 7,421 | -0.2% |
| Livada | 7,200 | -0.14% |
| Balan | 7,143 | -0.9% |
| Cehu Silvaniei | 7,054 | -1.02% |
| Patarlagele | 6,930 | -1.11% |
| Brezoi | 6,919 | -0.49% |
| Fieni | 6,859 | -1.28% |
| Campeni | 6,785 | -1.4% |
| Teius | 6,783 | -1.19% |
| Pogoanele | 6,697 | -1.18% |
| Horezu | 6,631 | -0.57% |
| Insuratei | 6,546 | -0.95% |
| Sarmasu | 6,440 | -1.04% |
| Frasin | 6,414 | -0.42% |
| Tismana | 6,408 | -1.2% |
| Fundulea | 6,386 | -0.65% |
| Gataia | 6,384 | -0.41% |
| Stei | 6,243 | -2.07% |
| Piatra-Olt | 6,200 | -0.51% |
| Saliste | 6,174 | 0.46% |
| Lehliu-Gara | 6,141 | -1.1% |
| Racari | 6,102 | -0.38% |
| Bucecea | 6,057 | 1.08% |
| Sebis | 5,988 | -0.96% |
| Brosteni | 5,983 | -0.94% |
| Miercurea Nirajului | 5,973 | -0.22% |
| Stefanesti | 5,883 | -1.42% |
| Rupea | 5,705 | -0.95% |
| Vanju Mare | 5,658 | -0.53% |
| Ciacova | 5,653 | 0.66% |
| Geoagiu | 5,641 | 0.21% |
| Copsa Mica | 5,561 | -0.94% |
| Milisauti | 5,435 | -0.35% |
| Potcoava | 5,386 | -0.97% |
| Novaci | 5,329 | -0.87% |
| Negru Voda | 5,279 | -1.31% |
| Baia de Arama | 5,234 | -0.96% |
| Sangeorgiu de Padure | 5,205 | -0.67% |
| Balcesti | 4,980 | 0% |
| Berbesti | 4,932 | -1.4% |
| Slanic-Moldova | 4,893 | -0.67% |
| Isaccea | 4,859 | -1.04% |
| Slanic | 4,807 | -2.08% |
| Abrud | 4,805 | -1.4% |
| Cavnic | 4,699 | -1.45% |
| Salistea de Sus | 4,685 | -1.04% |
| Miercurea Sibiului | 4,673 | -0.47% |
| Predeal | 4,391 | -1.75% |
| Azuga | 4,312 | -1.21% |
| Ticleni | 4,272 | -1.27% |
| Bechet | 4,262 | -0.16% |
| Baile Olanesti | 4,259 | -0.7% |
| Fierbinti-Targ | 4,250 | -0.98% |
| Ocna Sibiului | 4,184 | -0.48% |
| Baile Herculane | 4,164 | -1.98% |
| Aninoasa | 4,075 | -1.71% |
| Faurei | 3,531 | -1.67% |
| Ocnele Mari | 3,495 | 0.2% |
| Baia de Aries | 3,474 | -1.5% |
| Sulina | 3,399 | -1.96% |
| Cazanesti | 3,297 | -1.02% |
| Dragomiresti | 3,003 | -0.96% |
| Beresti | 2,838 | -1.77% |
| Solca | 2,632 | 0% |
| Borsec | 2,562 | -0.74% |
| Baile Govora | 2,450 | -1.65% |
| Vascau | 2,052 | -1.72% |
| Nucet | 1,988 | -0.75% |
| Baile Tusnad | 1,545 | -0.96% |
