Monchique: population and statistics
Monchique has a population of 5,611 (2025) across 395.3 km², or 14.2 people per km². It ranks 246 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +4.8% between 2021 and 2025.
- 5,611 residents
- 395.3 km²
- 14 people/km²
- 842 m
Key points
Among the 16 municipalities in Faro, Monchique ranks No. 15 by population.
Vacant dwellings: 25.3% in Monchique, compared with an average of 11.9% in Faro and 11.7% nationally.
Declared gross income per inhabitant: 8,590 € in Monchique, compared with an average of 10,657 € in Faro and 12,214 € nationally.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 17.4% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 30° generates about 1,534 kWh a year here.
Monchique in numbers
Where is Monchique?
Population of Monchique over time
Monchique had 5,352 residents in 2021 and 5,611 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,352 |
| 2022 | 5,506 |
| 2023 | 5,566 |
| 2024 | 5,606 |
| 2025 | 5,611 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Faro for “Elevation”.
- Number 1 in Faro for “Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair”.
- “Vacant dwellings”: higher than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Declared gross income per inhabitant”: lower than in 96% of municipalities.
- “Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants”: higher than in 91% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 55,364 football pitches.
- Its population density is 8.7 times lower than the national average.
All indicators for Monchique
Value for the municipality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the municipality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Monchique | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 32.8% | 22.5% | 26.9% | ranked 71 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 10.6% | 12.6% | 11.7% | ranked 215 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 311.0 | – | 229.9 | ranked 75 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 14.2 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 264 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | 4.84% | – | 4.50% | ranked 145 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Monchique | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 4,225 | 201,078 | 3,573,416 | ranked 247 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 27.1% | 11.9% | 12.8% | ranked 27 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 12.2% | 21.6% | 16.8% | ranked 272 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 20.0% | 10.4% | 14.2% | ranked 38 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 4,677 | 391,416 | 5,970,677 | ranked 246 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 21.7% | 36.8% | 25.8% | ranked 185 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 25.3% | 11.9% | 13.1% | ranked 3 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 72.2% | 66.7% | 77.8% | ranked 231 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 15.2% | 23.2% | 13.6% | ranked 131 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 10.4% | 49.6% | 13.8% | ranked 183 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 1,636 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 84 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Monchique | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 28.9% | 38.1% | 18.6% | ranked 87 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 3.8% | 5.1% | 12.6% | ranked 262 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 4,266 kWh/inh. | 4,504 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 111 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Monchique | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 866 | 93,838 | 1,510,274 | ranked 234 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 155.6 | 166.4 | 128.1 | ranked 63 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 8,590 € | 10,657 € | 10,553 € | ranked 295 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 69.0 | 97.5 | 79.5 | ranked 266 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Monchique | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 7.7% | 11.9% | 7.0% | ranked 108 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,128 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 276 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Monchique | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 112,828 | 20,782,405 | 82,011,658 | ranked 85 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 2,012 | 3,596 | 275.0 | ranked 29 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 6.7% | – | 18.4% | ranked 150 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Monchique | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 12.6% | 18.5% | 13.2% | ranked 173 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Monchique
Business sectors: Monchique
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing17.4% ×2.2
- Wholesale and retail trade17.2% ×1.2
- Accommodation and food services14.3% ×1.7
- Administrative and support services10.5% ×0.6
- Manufacturing9.4% ×2.0
- Construction5.7% ×0.8
- Professional, scientific and technical5.7% ×0.5
- Health and social work5.3% ×0.7
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Monchique?
Monchique has 5,611 residents (2025), ranking 246 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Monchique?
Monchique covers 395.3 km², with a density of 14 people per km².
Is the population of Monchique growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Monchique went from 5,352 to 5,611, a change of +4.8%.
Where is Monchique?
Monchique is in Faro. Latitude 37.317, longitude −8.600.
Vacant dwellings: what is the figure for Monchique?
In Monchique, “Vacant dwellings” stands at 25.3% (2021), ranking 3 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 13.1%.
Declared gross income per inhabitant: what is the figure for Monchique?
In Monchique, “Declared gross income per inhabitant” stands at 8,590 € (2024), ranking 295 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 10,553 €.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Monchique?
In Monchique, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 30° produces about 1,534 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Monchique?
The nearest to Monchique are Aljezur (18 km), Silves (21 km), Portimão (21 km), Lagoa (24 km), Lagos (25 km).
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