São Paulo leads with highest population

São Paulo (SP) stands out significantly with a population of 11.45 million, making it the largest city in Brazil by a substantial margin. This figure is nearly double that of the second-largest city, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), which has a population of 6.21 million.

Top three cities exceed 2 million inhabitants

The cities of São Paulo (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and Brasília (DF) are the only cities in Brazil with populations exceeding 2 million inhabitants, showcasing a significant urban concentration in these areas.

Distinct gap between top two and the rest

A distinct population gap exists between the top two cities and the others, with Rio de Janeiro (RJ) having over 3.39 million fewer inhabitants than São Paulo (SP) and 3.79 million more than the fourth-largest city, Fortaleza (CE).

Southern and Southeastern cities dominate top ranks

Cities from the Southern and Southeastern regions, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte (MG), and Curitiba (PR), dominate the top ranks, indicating these regions' significant urban development.

Capital cities lead in population size

Most of the largest cities by population are state capitals, highlighting the trend of capital cities being major population centers in Brazil.

Population density varies widely

The variation in population sizes, from São Paulo's 11.45 million to João Pessoa's 0.83 million, reflects the wide disparities in urban density and development across the country.

Northeastern cities show significant urban presence

Cities from the Northeast region, such as Salvador (BA), Fortaleza (CE), and Recife (PE), also feature prominently in the list, underscoring the region's substantial urban presence.

Two cities from São Paulo state in top 15

São Paulo state not only has the largest city but also features two more cities in the top 15: Guarulhos (SP) and Campinas (SP), highlighting the state's significant urban concentration.