Toulouse's 2025 population is now estimated at 1,080,180. In 1950, the population of Toulouse was 268,600. Toulouse has grown by 9,430 in the last year, which represents a 0.88% 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 Toulouse, which typically includes Toulouse's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.
Toulouse is a city in France, and it serves as the capital Haute-Garonne department and the Occitanie region. As of 2016, the city has a population of 950,000.
Toulouse has a population of 950,000, although the metropolitan area has a much larger population of over 1.2 million, the fourth largest in the country of France. The city is known for its aerospace industry, unique architecture and its world-renowned university.
The population of the urban area of Toulouse in 2016 is 950,000, up from 892,000 in 2011. Looking back at past date shows that the area has had steady growth throughout the years. The population has almost quadrupled since 1954, when it was just around 268,000. In 1975, the population exceeded 500,000 and continued to grow until it has now reached almost one million. The metropolitan area has also showed growth, growing from less than 500,000 in 1968 to over 1.2 million in 2016.
Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France, trailing Paris, Marseille and Lyon. It is also the 4th largest metropolis. The city’s high-tech and aerospace industries have led to population booms throughout the last few decades, posting a 1.49% annual growth rate throughout the 1990s and setting a record with 1.87% annual growth during the 2000s. There have been estimated to be about 2,500 Jewish families and 35,000 Muslims residing in Toulouse. Most of the residents of Toulouse are Roman Catholic, and the city is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toulouse. The city has the fourth highest student population in France, recording approximately 103,000 students in 2011.
Toulouse’s history dates back to around 8th century BC. The city was first settled by Volques Tectosages. Because of its location between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the city became a center of trade. Toulouse was named as the capital of the County of Toulouse during the Carolingian Era. In the 12th century, religious turmoil plagued the area, leading to troubled years.
In 1229, Toulouse submitted to the crown of France. In 1271, the city was incorporated into the kingdom of France and became a center of intellect and art. The 14th century, however, brought disasters to the city though the invasion of the Crusaders, the Black Death and the Hundred Years’ War. These problems caused the population to decrease by 10,000 despite continued immigration to the city. Toulouse began to prosper during the 15th century, but trouble came again in the 16th century in the form of religious conflict, plague and famine.
During the late 1700s and 1800s, religious intolerance began to gradually disappear, and the city was back on track to begin showing growth again. During the 18th century, modernization and urban rebuilding began. In 1856, the transportation sector began to grow, including the widening of streets, and the city began to prosper once again. Through the 20th century, immigrants began to come to Toulouse, particularly as industries including aerospace and chemical manufacturing began to grow.
Today, Toulouse is the fourth most populous city and metropolis in the country. It is considered the center of the European aerospace industry, hosts the largest space center in Europe and has one of the busiest air routes in France. It has been named the most dynamic city in France, and it has become a popular tourist destination because of its unique pink terracotta buildings, its extensive collection of artifacts found in its museums and its historic religious buildings, among other attractions and landmarks.
Toulouse will see continued growth throughout the years that should help it maintain its position as France’s fourth most populous city. 2016’s urban population of 950,000 is expected to grow to 1 million in 2020. By the end of 2030, the population for the city is estimated to be almost 1.1 million.
| City | 2025 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 11,346,800 | 0.62% |
| Lyon | 1,787,230 | 0.72% |
| Marseille | 1,644,610 | 0.54% |
| Lille | 1,091,590 | 0.59% |
| Toulouse | 1,080,180 | 0.88% |
| Bordeaux | 1,018,070 | 0.84% |
| Nice | 956,195 | 0.46% |
| Nantes | 711,464 | 0.83% |
| Toulon | 592,764 | 0.56% |
| Grenoble | 543,623 | 0.62% |
| Douai-Lens | 506,640 | 0.43% |
| Strasbourg | 489,811 | 0.63% |
| Montpellier | 486,923 | 0.87% |
| Avignon | 483,655 | 0.62% |
| Rouen | 478,713 | 0.5% |
| Saint-Etienne | 381,552 | 0.49% |
| Rennes | 371,499 | 0.83% |
| Tours | 369,653 | 0.58% |
| Bethune | 364,898 | 0.51% |
| Valenciennes | 344,351 | 0.5% |
