Recife Population 2026
Recife has a population of 1,653,461, making it the #9 biggest city in 🇧🇷 Brazil, located in Pernambuco. Roughly 0.8% of Brazil's population lives here. It is about 7.5× smaller than São Paulo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
1,653,461
Rank in Brazil
#9
Coordinates
8.05°S, 34.88°W
~8 m elevation · America/Recife
Distance to capital (Brasília)
1,658 km
1,030 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Pernambuco
| City | Population | Rank in Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Jaboatão dos Guararapes | 644,037 | #30 |
| Caruaru | 402,290 | #56 |
| Petrolina | 386,791 | #60 |
| Olinda | 366,754 | #65 |
| Paulista | 342,167 | #72 |
| Cabo de Santo Agostinho | 216,969 | #134 |
| Camaragibe | 155,771 | #188 |
| Garanhuns | 151,064 | #195 |
Cities near Recife
- Olinda366,754 people · ~6 km away
- Camaragibe155,771 people · ~12 km away
- Paulista342,167 people · ~13 km away
- Abreu e Lima103,945 people · ~16 km away
- Jaboatão dos Guararapes644,037 people · ~16 km away
- São Lourenço da Mata111,249 people · ~16 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Recife?
Recife has a population of 1,653,461 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #9 biggest city in Brazil.
What region is Recife in?
Recife is located in Pernambuco, Brazil.
Is Recife the capital of Brazil?
No, the capital of Brazil is Brasília, about 1,658 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.