Zurich population for Eurostat's greater city geography in Switzerland was 704,537 on 1 January 2022.
Its average annual rent for housing is €236.30 per m² (2022).
Its 1991–2020 climate normal is a mean annual temperature of 9.6 °C with 1,144 mm of precipitation a year (Copernicus ERA5-Land).
This profile reports 39 of the 50 indicators currently tracked for European cities; the rest are not reported for Zurich. Source: official datasets listed in the source registry.
Population & demographics
Population on 1 January, total
#21 of 163 · 87th pct · #1 in Switzerland
Population density (population divided by GISCO area)
#41 of 163 · 75th pct · #3 in Switzerland
2,465
persons per km2 · 2022
Share of population aged 65 and over
#144 of 160 · 10th pct · #8 in Switzerland
15.7%
of population · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Population on 1 January, total
Zurich: Population on 1 January, total in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 704,537. Higher than 142 of 163 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 37,960 to 10,353,710; median 143,083.
37,960
10,353,710
median 143,083
Zurich: Population on 1 January, total in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 704,537 Higher than 142 of 163 records in the same comparison group Median 143,083
Population density (population divided by GISCO area)
Zurich: Population density (population divided by GISCO area) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 2,465. Higher than 122 of 163 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 162 to 17,622; median 1,661.
162
17,622
median 1,661
Zurich: Population density (population divided by GISCO area) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 2,465 Higher than 122 of 163 records in the same comparison group Median 1,661
Share of population aged 65 and over
Zurich: Share of population aged 65 and over in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 15.7%. Higher than 16 of 160 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 12.2% to 34.1%; median 19.7%.
12.2%
34.1%
median 19.7%
Zurich: Share of population aged 65 and over in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 15.7% Higher than 16 of 160 records in the same comparison group Median 19.7%
Climate (ERA5-Land normals)
Zurich climate by month Zurich monthly 1991-2020 normals. Temperature 1.0°C to 18.7°C; warmest Jul, coldest Jan. Precipitation up to 119mm per month.
20 200 15 150 10 100 5 50 0 0
°C
mm
J F M A M J J A S O N D
● mean temperature (°C, left) · ▮ precipitation (mm, right) Zurich monthly climate normals Month Temp Precip Jan 1.0°C 78mm Feb 1.6°C 69mm Mar 5.2°C 82mm Apr 8.8°C 87mm May 13.0°C 119mm Jun 16.7°C 115mm Jul 18.7°C 117mm Aug 18.7°C 115mm Sep 14.5°C 95mm Oct 10.3°C 86mm Nov 5.0°C 88mm Dec 1.7°C 93mm
ERA5-Land 1991–2020 normals.
Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#430 of 601 · 28th pct · #3 in Switzerland
9.6
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#401 of 601 · 33rd pct · #3 in Switzerland
1.0
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
#399 of 601 · 33rd pct · #4 in Switzerland
18.7
°C · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal)
ERA5-Land reanalysis total precipitation at the city centroid grid cell; not station weather.
#67 of 601 · 89th pct · #10 in Switzerland
1,145
mm per year · centroid · 1991-2020
Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal)
ERA5-Land mean surface solar radiation; this is irradiance, NOT sunshine hours.
#253 of 601 · 58th pct · #6 in Switzerland
144
W per m2 · centroid · 1991-2020
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Zurich: Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 9.6. Higher than 168 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 1.3 to 24.5; median 10.6.
1.3
24.5
median 10.6
Zurich: Mean annual air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 9.6 Higher than 168 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 10.6
Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Zurich: Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 1.0. Higher than 200 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range -9.3 to 13.5; median 2.6.
-9.3
13.5
median 2.6
Zurich: Mean January air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 1.0 Higher than 200 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 2.6
Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal)
Zurich: Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 18.7. Higher than 200 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 12.5 to 38.1; median 19.3.
12.5
38.1
median 19.3
Zurich: Mean July air temperature (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 18.7 Higher than 200 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 19.3
Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal)
Zurich: Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 1,145. Higher than 534 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 261 to 2,516; median 816.
261
2,516
median 816
Zurich: Mean annual precipitation (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 1,145 Higher than 534 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 816
Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal)
Zurich: Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 144. Higher than 348 of 601 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 96 to 230; median 136.
96
230
median 136
Zurich: Mean surface solar radiation downwards (1991-2020 normal) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 144 Higher than 348 of 601 records in the same comparison group Median 136
Housing & living costs
Average annual rent for housing per m2
€236.30e
EUR per m2 per year · 2022
Employment
Total employment/jobs (workplace based)
#8 of 141 · 94th pct · #1 in Switzerland
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Total employment/jobs (workplace based)
Zurich: Total employment/jobs (workplace based) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 716,968. Higher than 133 of 141 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 15,527 to 5,298,886; median 71,369.
15,527
5,298,886
median 71,369
Zurich: Total employment/jobs (workplace based) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 716,968 Higher than 133 of 141 records in the same comparison group Median 71,369
Education
Share of students in higher education in the total population
#42 of 142 · 70th pct · #5 in Switzerland
109e
students per 1000 residents · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Share of students in higher education in the total population
Zurich: Share of students in higher education in the total population in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 109. Higher than 100 of 142 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 1 to 288; median 71.
1
288
median 71
Zurich: Share of students in higher education in the total population in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 109 Higher than 100 of 142 records in the same comparison group Median 71
Crude birth rate
Annual live births per 1000 residents for the reported Eurostat geography; not a fertility rate.
#53 of 154 · 66th pct · #1 in Switzerland
11
births per 1000 residents · 2022
Crude death rate
Annual deaths per 1000 residents for the reported Eurostat geography; age structure strongly affects comparisons.
#133 of 156 · 15th pct · #7 in Switzerland
8
deaths per 1000 residents · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Crude birth rate
Zurich: Crude birth rate in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 11. Higher than 101 of 154 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 39; median 10.
0
39
median 10
Zurich: Crude birth rate in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 11 Higher than 101 of 154 records in the same comparison group Median 10
Crude death rate
Zurich: Crude death rate in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 8. Higher than 23 of 156 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 6 to 16; median 10.
6
16
median 10
Zurich: Crude death rate in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 8 Higher than 23 of 156 records in the same comparison group Median 10
Number of registered cars per 1000 population
Registered cars per resident, not congestion, traffic speed or household car access.
#113 of 137 · 18th pct · #4 in Switzerland
414
cars per 1000 population · 2022
People killed in road accidents per 10000 population
Small annual rates can be volatile; do not present as a full traffic-safety score.
#99 of 140 · 25th pct · #2 in Switzerland
0
deaths per 10000 population · 2022
Cost of a combined monthly ticket for 5-10 km in the central zone
Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime
#1 of 81 · 99th pct · #1 in Switzerland
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Number of registered cars per 1000 population
Zurich: Number of registered cars per 1000 population in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 414. Higher than 24 of 137 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 257 to 816; median 482.
257
816
median 482
Zurich: Number of registered cars per 1000 population in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 414 Higher than 24 of 137 records in the same comparison group Median 482
People killed in road accidents per 10000 population
Zurich: People killed in road accidents per 10000 population in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 0. Higher than 35 of 140 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 1; median 0.
0
1
median 0
Zurich: People killed in road accidents per 10000 population in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 0 Higher than 35 of 140 records in the same comparison group Median 0
Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime
Zurich: Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime in the same year and geography grain Zurich: €33. Higher than 80 of 81 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range €8 to €33; median €12.
€8
€33
median €12
Zurich: Cost of a taxi ride of 5 km to the centre at daytime in the same year and geography grain
Zurich €33 Higher than 80 of 81 records in the same comparison group Median €12
Country price context (PPP)
Country price level index for GDP
160
EU27_2020=100 · CH · 2024
Total nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments
#6 of 82 · 93rd pct · #1 in Switzerland
4,585,157d
nights / year · 2022
Nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments by residents
1,633,974d
nights / year · 2022
Nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments by non-residents
2,951,183d
nights / year · 2022
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Total nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments
Zurich: Total nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 4,585,157. Higher than 76 of 82 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 30,931 to 71,423,725; median 683,405.
30,931
71,423,725
median 683,405
Zurich: Total nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 4,585,157 Higher than 76 of 82 records in the same comparison group Median 683,405
Number of cinema seats per 1000 residents
Cinema-seat capacity per resident; not annual attendance or a culture score.
#83 of 121 · 31st pct · #5 in Switzerland
18
seats per 1000 residents · 2022
Cinema attendance per year
Culture attendance count where reported; not a full cultural-offer index.
#16 of 117 · 86th pct · #1 in Switzerland
1,508,471
visits per year · 2022
Number of public libraries (all distribution points)
Library distribution points where reported; not library visits or service quality.
#7 of 124 · 94th pct · #1 in Switzerland
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Number of cinema seats per 1000 residents
Zurich: Number of cinema seats per 1000 residents in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 18. Higher than 38 of 121 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 53; median 23.
0
53
median 23
Zurich: Number of cinema seats per 1000 residents in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 18 Higher than 38 of 121 records in the same comparison group Median 23
Cinema attendance per year
Zurich: Cinema attendance per year in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 1,508,471. Higher than 101 of 117 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 0 to 35,526,645; median 454,396.
0
35,526,645
median 454,396
Zurich: Cinema attendance per year in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 1,508,471 Higher than 101 of 117 records in the same comparison group Median 454,396
Number of public libraries (all distribution points)
Zurich: Number of public libraries (all distribution points) in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 105. Higher than 117 of 124 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 1 to 539; median 10.
1
539
median 10
Zurich: Number of public libraries (all distribution points) in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 105 Higher than 117 of 124 records in the same comparison group Median 10
Resident perception survey
Zurich resident perception survey strongly agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price
4.6%
somewhat agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price
6.4%
very satisfied with the quality of the air in the city
35.2%
rather satisfied with the quality of the air in the city
52.8%
very satisfied with the noise level in the city
27.3%
rather satisfied with the noise level in the city
48.6%
very satisfied with cleanliness in the city
40.8%
rather satisfied with cleanliness in the city
48.1%
strongly agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city
77.3%
somewhat agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city
19.8%
Feel safe at night — strongly agree
46.7%
Feel safe at night — somewhat agree
37.5%
Transport affordable — strongly agree
29.6%
Transport affordable — somewhat agree
57.5%
Zurich resident perception survey strongly agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price 4.6% somewhat agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price 6.4% very satisfied with the quality of the air in the city 35.2% rather satisfied with the quality of the air in the city 52.8% very satisfied with the noise level in the city 27.3% rather satisfied with the noise level in the city 48.6% very satisfied with cleanliness in the city 40.8% rather satisfied with cleanliness in the city 48.1% strongly agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city 77.3% somewhat agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city 19.8% Feel safe at night — strongly agree 46.7% Feel safe at night — somewhat agree 37.5% Transport affordable — strongly agree 29.6% Transport affordable — somewhat agree 57.5%
Compare with same-grain records from the same year Share strongly agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 4.6%. Higher than 5 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 2.5% to 17.4%; median 7%.
2.5%
17.4%
median 7%
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 4.6% Higher than 5 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 7%
Share somewhat agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 6.4%. Higher than 1 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 4.5% to 38.2%; median 15.5%.
4.5%
38.2%
median 15.5%
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 6.4% Higher than 1 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 15.5%
Share very satisfied with the quality of the air in the city
Zurich: Share very satisfied with the quality of the air in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 35.2%. Higher than 29 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 6.3% to 35.2%; median 13.2%.
6.3%
35.2%
median 13.2%
Zurich: Share very satisfied with the quality of the air in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 35.2% Higher than 29 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 13.2%
Share rather satisfied with the quality of the air in the city
Zurich: Share rather satisfied with the quality of the air in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 52.8%. Higher than 26 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 17.9% to 63.7%; median 44.3%.
17.9%
63.7%
median 44.3%
Zurich: Share rather satisfied with the quality of the air in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 52.8% Higher than 26 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 44.3%
Share very satisfied with the noise level in the city
Zurich: Share very satisfied with the noise level in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 27.3%. Higher than 27 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 6.7% to 28.6%; median 17.9%.
6.7%
28.6%
median 17.9%
Zurich: Share very satisfied with the noise level in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 27.3% Higher than 27 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 17.9%
Share rather satisfied with the noise level in the city
Zurich: Share rather satisfied with the noise level in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 48.6%. Higher than 20 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 24.3% to 60.2%; median 46.4%.
24.3%
60.2%
median 46.4%
Zurich: Share rather satisfied with the noise level in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 48.6% Higher than 20 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 46.4%
Share very satisfied with cleanliness in the city
Zurich: Share very satisfied with cleanliness in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 40.8%. Higher than 28 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 4.6% to 46.5%; median 13%.
4.6%
46.5%
median 13%
Zurich: Share very satisfied with cleanliness in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 40.8% Higher than 28 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 13%
Share rather satisfied with cleanliness in the city
Zurich: Share rather satisfied with cleanliness in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 48.1%. Higher than 20 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 14.3% to 63%; median 43.2%.
14.3%
63%
median 43.2%
Zurich: Share rather satisfied with cleanliness in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 48.1% Higher than 20 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 43.2%
Share strongly agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 77.3%. Higher than 29 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 18.4% to 77.3%; median 45.5%.
18.4%
77.3%
median 45.5%
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 77.3% Higher than 29 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 45.5%
Share somewhat agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 19.8%. Higher than 2 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 16.2% to 61.9%; median 42.7%.
16.2%
61.9%
median 42.7%
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing they are satisfied to live in this city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 19.8% Higher than 2 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 42.7%
Share strongly agreeing they feel safe walking alone at night in the city
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing they feel safe walking alone at night in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 46.7%. Higher than 28 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 7.6% to 46.7%; median 24.6%.
7.6%
46.7%
median 24.6%
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing they feel safe walking alone at night in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 46.7% Higher than 28 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 24.6%
Share somewhat agreeing they feel safe walking alone at night in the city
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing they feel safe walking alone at night in the city in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 37.5%. Higher than 7 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 27.3% to 66.3%; median 42.4%.
27.3%
66.3%
median 42.4%
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing they feel safe walking alone at night in the city in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 37.5% Higher than 7 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 42.4%
Share strongly agreeing public transport is affordable
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing public transport is affordable in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 29.6%. Higher than 12 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 8.5% to 61.9%; median 30.5%.
8.5%
61.9%
median 30.5%
Zurich: Share strongly agreeing public transport is affordable in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 29.6% Higher than 12 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 30.5%
Share somewhat agreeing public transport is affordable
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing public transport is affordable in the same year and geography grain Zurich: 57.5%. Higher than 29 of 30 reporting records in the same comparison group. Range 19.5% to 57.5%; median 36%.
19.5%
57.5%
median 36%
Zurich: Share somewhat agreeing public transport is affordable in the same year and geography grain
Zurich 57.5% Higher than 29 of 30 records in the same comparison group Median 36%
Regional context (NUTS) Values describe the city's NUTS region, not the city itself
Life expectancy at birth, both sexes
Common questions What is the population of Zurich? Zurich had a population of 704,537 on 1 January 2022 (Eurostat greater city figure), the 21st largest of the 163 reporting greater city records in the same year.
What is the climate of Zurich? Its 1991–2020 ERA5-Land normal is a mean annual temperature of 9.6 °C (January 1.0 °C, July 18.7 °C) with 1,145 mm of precipitation a year. This is reanalysis, not station weather.
How much is rent in Zurich? Eurostat reports an average annual rent of €236.30 per m² (2022). This is a single reported field, not a full housing-cost basket.
Not reported for this city: Air quality (EEA annualized). Eurostat Urban Audit coverage is voluntary, so some indicators are unavailable for some cities.
Eurostat flags: e = estimated · d = definition differs
Every figure is an official indicator with its source linked. Ranks compare only records with the same reference year and geography grain. See the methodology .
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