Messina Population 2026
Messina has a population of 219,948, making it the #12 biggest city in 🇮🇹 Italy, located in Sicily. Roughly 0.4% of Italy's population lives here. It is about 11× smaller than Rome, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
219,948
Rank in Italy
#12
Coordinates
38.19°N, 15.55°E
~3 m elevation · Europe/Rome
Distance to capital (Rome)
486 km
302 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Sicily
Cities near Messina
- Reggio Calabria182,455 people · ~13 km away
- Milazzo31,771 people · ~27 km away
- Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto34,598 people · ~30 km away
- Palmi18,556 people · ~32 km away
- Gioia Tauro18,769 people · ~40 km away
- Siderno15,651 people · ~65 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Messina?
Messina has a population of 219,948 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #12 biggest city in Italy.
What region is Messina in?
Messina is located in Sicily, Italy.
Is Messina the capital of Italy?
No, the capital of Italy is Rome, about 486 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.