Bilbao: population and official figures
In depth
- Poverty and living standards in Bilbao: Police recorded 23,773 criminal offences in the municipality of Bilbao in 2025, down 0.0% on 2024 (23,778); that puts Bilbao 10th of 15 major Spanish cities ranked from the biggest rise to the biggest fall.
What is the population of Bilbao?
Bilbao had 790,197 inhabitants (urban agglomeration) on 1 July 2023, according to an official estimate (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Bilbao rank among cities in Spain?
Of the 49 cities the UN table lists for Spain (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 5th largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Bilbao?
Women and girls made up 52.2% of residents (412,543 female, 377,654 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow much debt does Bilbao city council have?
Bilbao city council owed €49.7 million at the end of 2025, the 4th smallest debt of 15 major Spanish cities and 57% of all town hall debt in its province.
Source: Ministerio de Hacienda · saved copyWhat is the population of Bilbao?
Bilbao had 782,473 residents on 1 January 2024 according to the EU Urban Audit; 11.4% were under 15 and 25.1% were 65 or older.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs Bilbao growing?
The population shrank by 1.0% between 2017 and 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Bilbao?
The unemployment rate in Bilbao was 9.9% in 2024 (9.2% for women, 10.6% for men).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat are the main jobs in Bilbao?
268,215 jobs were based in Bilbao in 2024; the biggest employers were trade, transport, hotels and restaurants (27% of jobs) and professional, scientific and administrative services (21%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Bilbao?
There were 393 registered cars per 1,000 residents in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Bilbao?
The infant mortality rate was 1.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Bilbao?
There were 10.9 deaths per 1,000 residents in 2024 and 5.6 births per 1,000.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die young in Bilbao?
Of 8,503 deaths in Bilbao in 2024, 889 (10%) were of people under 65.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many road deaths are there in Bilbao?
5 people were killed in road accidents in Bilbao in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many young children are in childcare in Bilbao?
72% of children under 5 were in day care or school in 2024 (718 per 1,000).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many students are there in Bilbao?
47,463 students were enrolled in higher education in Bilbao in 2024, 61 for every 1,000 residents.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people in Bilbao have a degree?
Of adults aged 25 to 64 in Bilbao in 2023, 55% had a degree-level education, 22% an upper secondary education and 23% at most lower secondary schooling.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWho runs Bilbao?
In Spain, cities and towns are run by autonomous communities: Elected parliament; president elected by parliament. Health, education, social services, planning; many make laws. Powers vary by statute of autonomy.
How local power works in Spain
Cities of a similar size in Spain
- Madrid 5,115,272
- Barcelona 3,767,382
- València 1,439,503
- Sevilla 881,124
- Zaragoza 683,949
- Málaga 587,068
- Murcia 467,501
- Palma 430,640
- Granada 408,869
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 380,863
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife 368,482
- Alicante/Alacant 350,598
- Pamplona/Iruña 339,972
- Córdoba 324,418
Up a level: all cities in Spain · Spain · 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_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…)
- Ministerio del Interior: Balance de Criminalidad, cuarto trimestre 2025: infracciones penales registradas en comunidades, provincias, islas y municipios de más de 20.000 habitantes, enero a diciembre 2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6b3532029406…)
- 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_ctran: Urban Audit: transport (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c4e74aa07496…)
- Ministerio de Hacienda: Deuda viva de las Entidades Locales a 31/12/2025: ayuntamientos, diputaciones, consejos y cabildos insulares, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 831355e52dd9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ceduc: Urban Audit: education (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 af187c7040a4…)
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