Vila Real de Santo António: population and statistics
Vila Real de Santo António has a population of 22,349 (2025) across 61.2 km², or 365 people per km². It ranks 115 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +8.9% between 2021 and 2025.
- 22,349 residents
- 61.2 km²
- 365 people/km²
- 8 m
Key points
Among the 16 municipalities in Faro, Vila Real de Santo António ranks No. 10 by population.
Unemployment rate: 13.2% in Vila Real de Santo António, compared with an average of 11.9% in Faro and 8.2% nationally.
Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants: 4,655 in Vila Real de Santo António, compared with an average of 3,596 in Faro and 722.7 nationally.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 18.8% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 34° generates about 1,692 kWh a year here.
Vila Real de Santo António in numbers
Where is Vila Real de Santo António?
Population of Vila Real de Santo António over time
Vila Real de Santo António had 20,519 residents in 2021 and 22,349 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,519 |
| 2022 | 21,414 |
| 2023 | 22,115 |
| 2024 | 22,400 |
| 2025 | 22,349 |
Did you know?
- “Unemployment rate”: higher than in 98% of municipalities.
- “Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants”: higher than in 98% of municipalities.
- “Dwellings used as secondary residences”: higher than in 96% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 8,578 football pitches.
- Its population density is 2.9 times the national average.
- The nearest municipality is Castro Marim, 3.5 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Olhão (48,826 residents), 42 km away.
All indicators for Vila Real de Santo António
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 | Vila Real de Santo António | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 27.4% | 22.5% | 26.9% | ranked 148 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 11.8% | 12.6% | 11.7% | ranked 143 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 231.3 | – | 229.9 | ranked 151 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 364.9 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 50 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | 8.92% | – | 4.50% | ranked 59 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Vila Real de Santo António | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 8,213 | 201,078 | 3,573,416 | ranked 150 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 12.0% | 11.9% | 12.8% | ranked 170 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 27.0% | 21.6% | 16.8% | ranked 15 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 9.1% | 10.4% | 14.2% | ranked 266 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 20,740 | 391,416 | 5,970,677 | ranked 85 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 48.4% | 36.8% | 25.8% | ranked 13 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 14.9% | 11.9% | 13.1% | ranked 106 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 68.1% | 66.7% | 77.8% | ranked 270 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 23.7% | 23.2% | 13.6% | ranked 36 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 59.9% | 49.6% | 13.8% | ranked 21 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 2,914 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 20 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Vila Real de Santo António | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 42.9% | 38.1% | 18.6% | ranked 33 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 4.2% | 5.1% | 12.6% | ranked 247 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,789 kWh/inh. | 4,504 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 145 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Vila Real de Santo António | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 2,829 | 93,838 | 1,510,274 | ranked 113 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 127.9 | 166.4 | 128.1 | ranked 156 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 9,725 € | 10,657 € | 10,553 € | ranked 222 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 92.2 | 97.5 | 79.5 | ranked 64 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Vila Real de Santo António | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 13.2% | 11.9% | 7.0% | ranked 8 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,258 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 153 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Vila Real de Santo António | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 1,041,600 | 20,782,405 | 82,011,658 | ranked 14 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 4,655 | 3,596 | 275.0 | ranked 7 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 10.2% | – | 18.4% | ranked 125 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Vila Real de Santo António | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 13.8% | 18.5% | 13.2% | ranked 135 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Vila Real de Santo António
Business sectors: Vila Real de Santo António
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Wholesale and retail trade18.8% ×1.3
- Accommodation and food services17.0% ×2.0
- Administrative and support services14.1% ×0.9
- Construction7.9% ×1.1
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing7.5% ×0.9
- Professional, scientific and technical6.3% ×0.6
- Other service activities6.0% ×1.2
- Health and social work5.0% ×0.6
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Vila Real de Santo António?
Vila Real de Santo António has 22,349 residents (2025), ranking 115 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Vila Real de Santo António?
Vila Real de Santo António covers 61.2 km², with a density of 365 people per km².
Is the population of Vila Real de Santo António growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Vila Real de Santo António went from 20,519 to 22,349, a change of +8.9%.
Where is Vila Real de Santo António?
Vila Real de Santo António is in Faro. Latitude 37.200, longitude −7.417.
Unemployment rate: what is the figure for Vila Real de Santo António?
In Vila Real de Santo António, “Unemployment rate” stands at 13.2% (2021), ranking 8 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 7.0%.
Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants: what is the figure for Vila Real de Santo António?
In Vila Real de Santo António, “Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants” stands at 4,655 (2025), ranking 7 of 306 municipalities; the national median is 275.0.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Vila Real de Santo António?
In Vila Real de Santo António, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 34° produces about 1,692 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Vila Real de Santo António?
The nearest to Vila Real de Santo António are Castro Marim (3.5 km), Tavira (22 km), Alcoutim (30 km), São Brás de Alportel (42 km), Olhão (42 km).
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