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Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest and most iconic cities in Brazil, located on the country’s southeastern coast along the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a population estimated at 6,731,560 inhabitants (2026 estimate). Founded by the Portuguese in 1565, Rio de Janeiro developed as an important colonial port and later served as the capital of Brazil from 1763 until 1960. During the 19th and early 20th centuries it was the political and cultural heart of the nation.
Today, Rio de Janeiro is internationally known for its dramatic natural setting between mountains and sea, as well as for its vibrant cultural life, including samba and the world-famous Carnival festival. Major landmarks include the monumental Christ the Redeemer, overlooking the city from the summit of Corcovado Mountain, the panoramic Sugarloaf Mountain, and the legendary Copacabana Beach. Rio de Janeiro has also produced many influential figures in sports, literature, and culture, including football legend Ronaldo, acclaimed novelist Paulo Coelho, and celebrated actress Fernanda Montenegro.
Rio de Janeiro in Brazil
43.2° W
Rio de Janeiro Population Evolution
The population of Rio de Janeiro in 2026 is estimated to 6,731,560 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1872 | 274,972 | |
| 1940 | 1,764,141 | +541.6% |
| 1970 | 4,315,746 | +144.6% |
| 2010 | 6,320,446 | +46.5% |
| 2025 | 6,730,729 | +6.5% |
Interactive Map of Rio de Janeiro
What to see in Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer
Petrobras
Brazilian National Archives
Teatro Municipal
TheaterBarra da Tijuca
NeighborhoodRio de Janeiro Cathedral
churchCopacabana Beach
beachBest Museums in Rio de Janeiro
Famous People Born in Rio de Janeiro
Fernanda Montenegro
actorBrazilian actress and writer
Paulo Coelho
writerMarisa Monte
composerBrazilian actress
Ronaldo
association football playerBrazilian association football player
Sister Cities of Rio de Janeiro
Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.
This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 🇨🇳 China | 22,259,290 |
| Istanbul | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 15,849,400 |
| Lahore | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 15,277,850 |
| Guiyang | 🇨🇳 China | 5,987,018 |
| Saint Petersburg | 🇷🇺 Russia | 5,652,922 |
| Nairobi | 🇰🇪 Kenya | 5,545,000 |
| Cape Town | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 3,776,313 |
| Busan | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 3,453,198 |
| Madrid | 🇪🇸 Spain | 3,316,850 |
| Buenos Aires | 🇦🇷 Argentina | 3,152,780 |
| Kyiv | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 2,952,301 |
| Brisbane | 🇦🇺 Australia | 2,701,840 |
| Luanda | 🇦🇴 Angola | 2,487,444 |
| Baku | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 2,300,500 |
| Warsaw | 🇵🇱 Poland | 1,862,402 |
| Barcelona | 🇪🇸 Spain | 1,760,750 |
| Kobe | 🇯🇵 Japan | 1,508,740 |
| Tangier | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 1,275,428 |
| Cologne | 🇩🇪 Germany | 1,087,353 |
| Jerusalem | 🇮🇱 Israel | 936,425 |
| Oklahoma City | 🇺🇸 United States | 681,054 |
| Lisbon | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 592,960 |
| Samarkand | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 546,303 |
| Atlanta | 🇺🇸 United States | 523,570 |
| Liverpool | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 513,441 |
| Beirut | 🇱🇧 Lebanon | 433,249 |
| Nice | 🇫🇷 France | 357,737 |
| Montpellier | 🇫🇷 France | 310,240 |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 🇪🇸 Spain | 211,957 |
| Braga | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 193,324 |
| Ramat Gan | 🇮🇱 Israel | 159,200 |
| Guimarães | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 156,830 |
| M'banza-Kongo | 🇦🇴 Angola | 148,000 |
| Viseu | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 99,274 |
| Viana do Castelo | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 88,725 |
| Ra'anana | 🇮🇱 Israel | 74,000 |
| Olhão | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 45,396 |
| Arganil | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 11,065 |
| Santa Comba | 🇪🇸 Spain | 9,442 |
Learn more about Rio de Janeiro
Other facts about Rio de Janeiro
Sources & References
- Wikidata
- Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (accessed on 12 March 2026)