Gothenburg Flag

Gothenburg

Country:
Sweden
Continent:
Europe

Gothenburg's 2025 population is now estimated at 643,993. In 1950, the population of Gothenburg was 352,200. Gothenburg has grown by 6,113 in the last year, which represents a 0.96% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects . These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Gothenburg, which typically includes Gothenburg's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

644K
Total Population
6.1K 0.96%
Growth
No
Capital of Sweden?

Gothenburg Population

Gothenburg Overview

Gothenburg is a city in Sweden that is one of the largest in all of the Nordic countries. It is the second-largest city in the country. The city has a population of 581,822, while the metro area has a population that exceeds 1 million residents.

City Size and Population Density

The city’s total area is over 447 square kilometers (172 square miles), with a population density of 1,300 individuals residing per square kilometer (3,300 people living per square mile). Gothenburg has a history that dates back to its founding in 1621. The city has a rich culture and is the host of many annual events such as film and music festivals that are the biggest in Scandinavia.

Gothenburg Demographics

Approximately three-quarters of the people that live in Gothenburg were born in Sweden. However, there is a large population of immigrants from all over the world. Over 140,000 foreign residents live in Gothenburg. The largest groups come from Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Poland, and other areas.

The city is home to the Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, so it has a sizable student population.

Swedish is the official language, while Finnish and English are also in heavy use.

Gothenburg History

Gothenburg has a rich and long history. The city was founded in 1621 by Gustav II Adolf. Gothenburg was built during the 1600s by the Dutch. During the 1700s, the city began to grow quickly. The city port helped significantly increase the importance of the town by supporting it with import and export with the Swedish East India Company. In this time, log cabins were popular among the residents; however, the original structures have all since burnt and no longer remain in the area. After the fires, stone homes were strongly encouraged to the residents. By 1902 electricity was used to run the transport system, replacing the horse driven trams. The city also continued to expand its trade and industry.

Population Growth

The city’s population grew by 1.6% between 2015 and 2016. Previous periods of growth, a strong economy, and educational and employment opportunities point to continued population growth for Gothenburg.

Other Cities in Sweden

City
2025 Pop. ↓
Growth
Stockholm1,737,760
Malmo339,816
Uppsala149,245
Sollentuna139,606
Soedermalm127,323
Vaesteras117,746
OErebro115,765
Linkoeping106,502
Helsingborg104,250
Joenkoeping93,797
Norrkoeping93,765
Huddinge90,182
Lund87,244
Umea83,249
Haninge74,968
Gaevle74,884
Boras71,700
Soedertaelje70,777
Kungsholmen69,363
Eskilstuna67,359
Solna66,909
Halmstad66,124
Vaexjoe65,383
Karlstad61,492
Bromma61,000
Moelndal59,430
Vasastan58,458
Taby58,123
Sundsvall57,606
OEstersund49,806
Trollhaettan48,573
Lulea43,574
Lidingoe42,466
Borlaenge41,955
Tumba40,832
Kristianstad39,762
Kalmar38,408
Falun37,000
Skoevde36,842
Upplands Vaesby36,534
Karlskrona36,477
OEstermalm36,418
Skelleftea35,516
Uddevalla34,781
Sundbyberg34,529
Varberg34,248
Akersberga32,659
OErnskoeldsvik32,493
Landskrona32,229
Nykoeping32,224
Vallentuna31,937
Motala30,944
Trelleborg29,316
Majorna29,254
Partille28,648
Karlskoga27,490
Maersta27,034
Lerum26,913
Alingsas26,329
Nacka25,170
Sandviken24,724
Kungaelv24,101
Falkenberg24,099
Boo24,052
Jakobsberg24,046
Visby23,402
Katrineholm23,283
AEngelholm23,240
Vaenersborg23,119
Bjoerlanda23,088
Pitea23,067
Lidkoeping22,988
Enkoeping22,553
Huskvarna21,500
Vaestervik21,178
Gustavsberg20,774
Karlshamn20,112
Norrtaelje19,365
Haessleholm19,309
Vaernamo19,061
Ystad18,806
Kungsbacka18,698
Esloev18,592
Kristinehamn18,557
Haernoesand18,426
Koeping18,355
Oskarshamn18,287
Naessjoe17,719
Moelnlycke17,579
Falkoeping17,170
Tensta17,083
Kiruna17,037
Rasunda16,877
Boden16,830
Arsta16,807
Kumla16,663
Gamla Uppsala16,231
Mariestad16,122
Hudiksvall16,081
Tullinge16,000
Ljungby15,785
Staffanstorp15,373
Ludvika15,245
Kinna15,019
Hoellviken14,889
Billdal14,874
Hoeganaes14,778
Tranas14,550
Nynaeshamn14,532
Arvika13,926
Bollnaes13,716
Straengnaes13,693
Skoghall13,605
Vetlanda13,430
Balsta13,138
Stenungsund13,093
Sala13,087
Bunkeflostrand13,048
Nybro13,039
Mjoelby12,858
Finspang12,807
Oxie12,665
Ronneby12,612
Mora12,602
Lomma12,368
Onsala12,275
Soederhamn12,259
Hoeoer12,152
Avesta11,949
Fagersta11,936
Svedala11,796
Handen11,524
Ekeroe11,505
Skara11,437
Alby11,400
Oxeloesund11,157
Noedinge-Nol11,117
Lindome10,942
Arboga10,841
Hallstahammar10,787
Jordbro10,757
Ulricehamn10,629
Bjuv10,602
Segeltorp10,536
Timra10,495
Gaellivare10,362
Kista10,254
Gislaved10,180
Eksjoe10,157
Kungsaengen10,151
Torslanda10,129

Sources

  1. World Population Prospects (2024 Revision) - United Nations population estimates and projections.

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