Fortaleza Population 2026
Fortaleza has a population of 2,400,000, making it the #5 biggest city in 🇧🇷 Brazil, located in Ceará. Roughly 1.1% of Brazil's population lives here. It is about 5.2× smaller than São Paulo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
2,400,000
Rank in Brazil
#5
Coordinates
3.72°S, 38.54°W
~18 m elevation · America/Fortaleza
Distance to capital (Brasília)
1,689 km
1,049 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Ceará
| City | Population | Rank in Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Caucaia | 355,679 | #68 |
| Maracanaú | 234,509 | #122 |
| Juazeiro do Norte | 225,230 | #130 |
| Sobral | 203,023 | #143 |
| Itapipoca | 131,123 | #223 |
| Crato | 131,050 | #224 |
| Maranguape | 105,093 | #302 |
| Iguatu | 98,064 | #335 |
Cities near Fortaleza
FAQ
What is the population of Fortaleza?
Fortaleza has a population of 2,400,000 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #5 biggest city in Brazil.
What region is Fortaleza in?
Fortaleza is located in Ceará, Brazil.
Is Fortaleza the capital of Brazil?
No, the capital of Brazil is Brasília, about 1,689 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.