Murcia: population and official figures
In depth
- Poverty and living standards in Murcia: Police recorded 26,043 criminal offences in the municipality of Murcia in 2025, up 2.8% on 2024 (25,331); that puts Murcia 7th of 15 major Spanish cities ranked from the biggest rise to the biggest fall.
What is the population of Murcia?
Murcia had 467,501 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 July 2023, according to an official estimate (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Murcia 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 8th largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Murcia?
Women and girls made up 51.0% of residents (238,334 female, 229,167 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow much debt does Murcia city council have?
Murcia city council owed €250.8 million at the end of 2025, the 4th largest debt of 15 major Spanish cities and 36% of all town hall debt in its province.
Source: Ministerio de Hacienda · saved copyWhat is the population of Murcia?
Murcia had 471,982 residents on 1 January 2024 according to the EU Urban Audit; 15.2% were under 15 and 16.8% were 65 or older.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs Murcia growing?
The population grew by 6.9% between 2012 and 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Murcia?
The unemployment rate in Murcia was 13.4% in 2024 (14.1% for women, 12.7% for men).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat are the main jobs in Murcia?
200,537 jobs were based in Murcia in 2024; the biggest employers were trade, transport, hotels and restaurants (27% of jobs) and public administration, education and health (25%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Murcia?
Tourist accommodation in Murcia recorded 344,518 nights in 2020, 17% by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Murcia?
There were 473 registered cars per 1,000 residents in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Murcia?
The infant mortality rate was 2.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Murcia?
There were 7.2 deaths per 1,000 residents in 2024 and 7.9 births per 1,000.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die young in Murcia?
Of 3,406 deaths in Murcia in 2024, 534 (16%) were of people under 65.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many road deaths are there in Murcia?
23 people were killed in road accidents in Murcia in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many young children are in childcare in Murcia?
63% of children under 5 were in day care or school in 2024 (630 per 1,000).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many students are there in Murcia?
53,557 students were enrolled in higher education in Murcia in 2024, 114 for every 1,000 residents.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people in Murcia have a degree?
Of adults aged 25 to 64 in Murcia in 2023, 43% had a degree-level education, 21% an upper secondary education and 36% at most lower secondary schooling.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWho runs Murcia?
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
- Bilbao 790,197
- Zaragoza 683,949
- Málaga 587,068
- 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_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…)
- 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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