Bilbao Population 2026
Bilbao has a population of 347,342, making it the #11 biggest city in 🇪🇸 Spain, located in Basque Country. Roughly 0.7% of Spain's population lives here. It is about 9.4× smaller than Madrid, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
347,342
Rank in Spain
#11
Coordinates
43.26°N, 2.93°W
~20 m elevation · Europe/Madrid
Distance to capital (Madrid)
323 km
201 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Basque Country
| City | Population | Rank in Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Gasteiz / Vitoria | 257,407 | #16 |
| Donostia / San Sebastián | 185,357 | #35 |
| Barakaldo | 100,435 | #63 |
| Getxo | 80,770 | #86 |
| Irun | 61,983 | #122 |
| Santutxu | 60,000 | #128 |
| Santurtzi | 46,978 | #150 |
| Portugalete | 45,826 | #156 |
Cities near Bilbao
FAQ
What is the population of Bilbao?
Bilbao has a population of 347,342 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #11 biggest city in Spain.
What region is Bilbao in?
Bilbao is located in Basque Country, Spain.
Is Bilbao the capital of Spain?
No, the capital of Spain is Madrid, about 323 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.