Marseille: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Marseille: The unemployment rate in Marseille was 13.0% in 2023 (13.1% for women, 12.9% for men).
- Health in Marseille: The infant mortality rate was 5.0 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025.
- Poverty and living standards in Marseille: An apartment in Marseille cost €187,375 to buy on average in 2024.
- Government and politics in Marseille: 48% of people in Marseille agreed that there is corruption in their local public administration (EU quality of life in European cities survey, 2023).
What is the population of Marseille?
Marseille had 873,076 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 January 2021, according to a complete census (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Marseille rank among cities in France?
Of the 39 cities the UN table lists for France (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 2nd largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Marseille?
Women and girls made up 52.5% of residents (458,780 female, 414,296 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWhat is the population of Marseille?
Marseille had 973,249 residents on 1 January 2023 according to the EU Urban Audit; 17.3% were under 15 and 20.0% were 65 or older.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs Marseille growing?
The population grew by 2.8% between 2012 and 2023.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many young children are in childcare in Marseille?
45% of children under 5 were in day care or school in 2023 (455 per 1,000).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many students are there in Marseille?
61,789 students were enrolled in higher education in Marseille in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people in Marseille have a degree?
Of adults aged 25 to 64 in Marseille in 2023, 43% had a degree-level education, 37% an upper secondary education and 21% at most lower secondary schooling.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- The wider urban agglomeration had 1,625,845 inhabitants. Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copy
- In the EU's 2023 survey of quality of life in European cities, 64% of residents of Marseille were satisfied with schools and other educational facilities. Source: Eurostat · saved copy
Notes from the UN table: City proper refers to commune or municipality. City proper refers to commune or municipality. City proper refers to commune or municipality. The city of Aix-en-Provence is part of the urban agglomeration of Marseille. The city of Aix-en-Provence is part of the urban agglomeration of Marseille. The city of Aix-en-Provence is part of the urban agglomeration of Marseille.
Who runs Marseille?
In France, cities and towns are run by intercommunal groupings: Councillors chosen at the same time as municipal councillors (or from them in small communes). Waste, water, public transport, economic development, often planning. Membership is compulsory for almost every commune.
How local power works in France
Cities of a similar size in France
- Paris 2,133,111
- Lyon 522,250
- Toulouse 504,078
- Nice 348,085
- Nantes 323,204
- Montpellier 302,454
- Strasbourg 291,313
- Bordeaux 261,804
- Lille 236,710
- Rennes 225,081
Up a level: all cities in France · France · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctour: Urban Audit: culture and tourism (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 235d13e6125c…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_cpop1: Urban Audit: population on 1 January by age groups and sex (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0ef23d60abc9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_clivcon: Urban Audit: living conditions (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bc58ab68d418…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_cfermor: Urban Audit: fertility and mortality (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bd2b301d78c2…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_clma: Urban Audit: labour market (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 be050965f9c6…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_percep: Quality of life in European cities survey 2023: perception (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 81bd3e277f3e…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctran: Urban Audit: transport (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c4e74aa07496…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ceduc: Urban Audit: education (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 af187c7040a4…)
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