Find out how many people live in Ciudad Real city and province, how the population has changed in recent years and how it is distributed by age and gender.
Ciudad Real city has 75,104 inhabitants according to the latest official figures from Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) for 2024, with a practically identical figure projected for 2026. It remains the second most populated capital in Castilla-La Mancha, behind only Albacete.
A total of 490,476 people live in the province of Ciudad Real, making it the most populated province in the region. The city accounts for roughly 15% of the provincial population.
City: 75,104 inhabitants
Province: 490,476 inhabitants
Region: Castilla-La Mancha (2.1 million)
Municipal area: 284.98 km²
Density: 263.5 inhabitants/km²
Ciudad Real saw steady growth between 2000 and 2011, rising from 63,000 to almost 75,000 inhabitants thanks to the growth of the university, the arrival of the AVE high-speed train and the expansion of the service sector. However, the economic crisis slowed this pace and the population levelled off at around 74,000–75,000 over the last decade.
The city began the century with moderate growth, driven by agriculture and its administrative role as capital.
It reached its historic peak at almost 75,000 residents. The AVE boom and the expansion of the university were key.
A slight recovery and a new high. The city maintains a stable population, with very little fluctuation in recent years.
With 263.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, Ciudad Real has a medium density, far from big cities such as Madrid or Barcelona but higher than the provincial (24.8 inhabitants/km²) and regional (26.4 inhabitants/km²) averages. The urban area is home to most residents, with neighbourhoods such as El Pilar, Plaza Mayor-Centro and San Martín being the most populated.
The outlying districts of Las Casas, Valverde and La Poblachuela have just over 2,500 inhabitants between them, reinforcing how concentrated the population is in the main urban area.
Ciudad Real's population pyramid reflects an ageing society, although with a significant share of young people thanks to the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Women make up 52.3% of the population and men 47.7%.
A slightly lower percentage than the national average, reflecting the low birth rate affecting the whole region.
The bulk of the working-age population. The university and public services sustain this group.
One in five residents is over 65, a figure that grows every year and shapes the City Council's social policies.
7.2% of Ciudad Real's inhabitants were born abroad, equivalent to around 5,400 people. The most represented nationalities are Romanian, Moroccan, Colombian and Chinese. This population is well integrated, with a strong presence in local commerce and the province's agricultural sector.
Across the province as a whole, the share of foreign residents rises to 9.8%, close to 48,000 people, concentrated especially in farming towns such as Tomelloso, Alcázar de San Juan and Valdepeñas.
Ciudad Real is the second most populated capital in the region. Although the province of Ciudad Real is the most populated in Castilla-La Mancha, its capital ranks behind Albacete in number of residents.
The most populated capital in the region, with more than twice as many inhabitants as Ciudad Real.
Second place. It stands out as the administrative centre of the most populated province in Castilla-La Mancha.
Although it has more inhabitants than Ciudad Real, the margin is relatively small.
The least populated capital in the region, with a notable difference compared with Ciudad Real.
Demographic projections for Ciudad Real point to stability with a slight downward trend from 2030 unless there are significant changes in the local economy. Progressive ageing, a low birth rate and the emigration of qualified young people to big cities are the main challenges.
However, improved rail links, remote working and the appeal of a quiet, affordable city with quality services could attract new residents and reverse the trend. The Municipal Urban Plan includes land for around 15,000 new homes, with capacity for up to 35,000 new residents in the coming decades.
2026: ≈ 75,100 inhabitants (stable)
2030: ≈ 74,500 inhabitants (estimated slight decline)
Maximum potential: Up to 110,000 inhabitants if all the planned development land is built on.
Demographic data makes more sense when analysed alongside the quality-of-life indicators that make Ciudad Real one of the best-rated provincial capitals to live in in Spain.
The average cost of housing, eating out and services in Ciudad Real is well below the national average, allowing a comfortable standard of living on average salaries. Renting a central flat costs around 400–550 euros a month.
A university hospital, the University of Castilla-La Mancha, an AVE connection to Madrid in 50 minutes and motorways to Andalusia, the east coast and the capital. Everything you need without the drawbacks of big cities.
Ciudad Real is among the provincial capitals with the lowest crime rates in Spain. You can walk around the centre in complete peace at any time, and the relaxed pace of life is one of its great attractions for families and remote workers.
