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São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and one of the most important economic, financial, and cultural centers in Latin America. The city has an estimated population of about 11,517,160 inhabitants (2026 estimate). Founded in 1554 by Jesuit missionaries, São Paulo remained a relatively small settlement during the colonial period but experienced rapid growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to coffee production, industrialization, and large waves of immigration from Europe, the Middle East, and Japan. Today it is a global metropolis known for its diverse population, dynamic economy, and cultural institutions.
The city features many notable landmarks, including the São Paulo Cathedral, the renowned São Paulo Museum of Art, and the expansive Ibirapuera Park. São Paulo has also been the birthplace of several influential figures in sports and culture, including legendary Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, football star Cafu, and acclaimed writer Lygia Fagundes Telles.
São Paulo in Brazil
46.6° W
São Paulo Population Evolution
The population of São Paulo in 2026 is estimated to 11,517,160 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1872 | 31,385 | |
| 1920 | 579,033 | +1,744.9% |
| 1960 | 3,781,446 | +553.1% |
| 1991 | 9,646,185 | +155.1% |
| 2022 | 11,451,245 | +18.7% |
Interactive Map of São Paulo
What to see in São Paulo
Paulista Avenue
São Paulo Cathedral
ChurchObelisk of São Paulo
MonumentLuz Station
BuildingTheatro Municipal
TheaterBest Museums in São Paulo
Famous People Born in São Paulo
Anita Malfatti
artistBrazilian artist
Lygia Fagundes Telles
writerBrazilian novelist and short-story writer
Ayrton Senna
racing driverBrazilian racing driver
Cafu
association football playerBrazilian association football player
Laura Pigossi
tennis playerBrazilian tennis player
Sister Cities of São Paulo
Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.
This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.
| City | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 24,870,895 |
| Beijing | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 21,893,095 |
| Lima | 🇵🇪 Peru | 9,943,800 |
| Seoul | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 9,668,465 |
| Ningbo | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 7,639,000 |
| Santiago | 🇨🇱 Chile | 6,257,516 |
| İzmir | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 4,493,242 |
| Amman | 🇯🇴 Jordan | 4,007,526 |
| Toronto | 🇨🇦 Canada | 2,794,356 |
| Osaka | 🇯🇵 Japan | 2,751,862 |
| Chicago | 🇺🇸 United States | 2,746,388 |
| Damascus | 🇸🇾 Syria | 2,685,360 |
| Havana | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 2,089,532 |
| Huaibei | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 1,970,265 |
| Hamburg | 🇩🇪 Germany | 1,910,160 |
| Bucharest | 🇷🇴 Romania | 1,716,961 |
| Milan | 🇮🇹 Italy | 1,354,196 |
| Yerevan | 🇦🇲 Armenia | 1,106,300 |
| La Paz | 🇧🇴 Bolivia | 755,732 |
| Macau | 🇨🇳 People's Republic of China | 682,100 |
| Tel-Aviv | 🇮🇱 Israel | 467,875 |
| Asunción | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 462,241 |
| Córdoba | 🇪🇸 Spain | 323,262 |
| Naha | 🇯🇵 Japan | 316,048 |
| Cluj-Napoca | 🇷🇴 Romania | 286,598 |
| Coimbra | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 140,816 |
| Mendoza | 🇦🇷 Argentina | 127,160 |
| Leiria | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 126,897 |
| Funchal | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 105,795 |
| Santiago de Compostela | 🇪🇸 Spain | 100,965 |
| Belmonte | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 6,859 |
| Góis | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 4,260 |