João Pessoa Population 2026
João Pessoa has a population of 817,511, making it the #22 biggest city in 🇧🇷 Brazil, located in Paraíba. Roughly 0.4% of Brazil's population lives here. It is about 15× smaller than São Paulo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
817,511
Rank in Brazil
#22
Coordinates
7.12°S, 34.86°W
~45 m elevation · America/Fortaleza
Distance to capital (Brasília)
1,718 km
1,067 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Paraíba
| City | Population | Rank in Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Campina Grande | 348,936 | #71 |
| Santa Rita | 149,910 | #196 |
| Patos | 92,575 | #354 |
| Bayeux | 82,742 | #398 |
| Sousa | 67,259 | #498 |
| Cabedelo | 66,519 | #501 |
| Cajazeiras | 63,239 | #530 |
| Guarabira | 57,484 | #588 |
Cities near João Pessoa
- Bayeux82,742 people · ~8 km away
- Santa Rita149,910 people · ~13 km away
- Cabedelo66,519 people · ~15 km away
- Conde27,605 people · ~17 km away
- Cruz do Espírito Santo17,095 people · ~25 km away
- Alhandra21,730 people · ~36 km away
FAQ
What is the population of João Pessoa?
João Pessoa has a population of 817,511 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #22 biggest city in Brazil.
What region is João Pessoa in?
João Pessoa is located in Paraíba, Brazil.
Is João Pessoa the capital of Brazil?
No, the capital of Brazil is Brasília, about 1,718 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.