Mêda: population and statistics
Mêda has a population of 4,364 (2025) across 286.1 km², or 15.3 people per km². It ranks 271 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −2.2% between 2021 and 2025.
- 4,364 residents
- 286.1 km²
- 15 people/km²
- 735 m
Key points
Among the 14 municipalities in Guarda, Mêda ranks No. 12 by population.
Population under 15: 8.4% in Mêda, compared with an average of 9.7% in Guarda and 12.4% nationally.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 45.2% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 35° generates about 1,533 kWh a year here.
Mêda in numbers
Where is Mêda?
Population of Mêda over time
Mêda had 4,460 residents in 2021 and 4,364 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,460 |
| 2022 | 4,440 |
| 2023 | 4,407 |
| 2024 | 4,400 |
| 2025 | 4,364 |
Did you know?
- “Population under 15”: lower than in 96% of municipalities.
- “Median selling price of housing per m²”: lower than in 94% of municipalities.
- “Usual residences with central heating”: higher than in 93% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 40,063 football pitches.
- Its population density is 8.1 times lower than the national average.
- The nearest municipality is Penedono, 10.0 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Trancoso (8,022 residents), 22 km away.
All indicators for Mêda
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 | Mêda | Guarda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 39.5% | 34.7% | 26.9% | ranked 16 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 8.4% | 9.7% | 11.7% | ranked 291 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 471.3 | – | 229.9 | ranked 16 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 15.3 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 259 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | −2.15% | – | 4.50% | ranked 286 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Mêda | Guarda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 4,811 | 114,698 | 3,573,416 | ranked 224 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 16.8% | 15.0% | 12.8% | ranked 88 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 13.6% | 14.6% | 16.8% | ranked 241 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 20.1% | 15.1% | 14.2% | ranked 37 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 5,059 | 131,320 | 5,970,677 | ranked 230 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 44.2% | 36.1% | 25.8% | ranked 34 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 14.9% | 15.7% | 13.1% | ranked 106 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 85.4% | 81.7% | 77.8% | ranked 47 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 8.3% | 11.7% | 13.6% | ranked 249 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 6.4% | 19.5% | 13.8% | ranked 243 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 411 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 287 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Mêda | Guarda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 8.4% | 8.8% | 18.6% | ranked 276 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 33.8% | 32.3% | 12.6% | ranked 21 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,108 kWh/inh. | 3,714 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 234 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Mêda | Guarda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 809 | 19,109 | 1,510,274 | ranked 243 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 183.6 | 137.3 | 128.1 | ranked 31 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 9,222 € | 10,768 € | 10,553 € | ranked 266 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 69.4 | 79.2 | 79.5 | ranked 258 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Mêda | Guarda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 5.7% | 6.4% | 7.0% | ranked 226 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,117 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 282 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Mêda | Guarda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 22,868 | 481,236 | 82,011,658 | ranked 198 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 521.9 | 345.5 | 275.0 | ranked 89 of 306 |
Education
| Indicator | Mêda | Guarda | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 11.0% | 15.3% | 13.2% | ranked 224 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Mêda
Business sectors: Mêda
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing45.2% ×5.7
- Wholesale and retail trade12.7% ×0.9
- Accommodation and food services7.8% ×0.9
- Construction6.4% ×0.9
- Administrative and support services5.4% ×0.3
- Manufacturing4.9% ×1.1
- Health and social work4.2% ×0.5
- Professional, scientific and technical4.1% ×0.4
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mêda?
Mêda has 4,364 residents (2025), ranking 271 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Mêda?
Mêda covers 286.1 km², with a density of 15 people per km².
Is the population of Mêda growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Mêda went from 4,460 to 4,364, a change of −2.2%.
Where is Mêda?
Mêda is in Guarda. Latitude 40.967, longitude −7.267.
Population under 15: what is the figure for Mêda?
In Mêda, “Population under 15” stands at 8.4% (2025), ranking 291 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 11.7%.
Median selling price of housing per m²: what is the figure for Mêda?
In Mêda, “Median selling price of housing per m²” stands at 411 €/m² (2025), ranking 287 of 305 municipalities; the national median is 1,108 €/m².
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Mêda?
In Mêda, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 35° produces about 1,533 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Mêda?
The nearest to Mêda are Penedono (10.0 km), Vila Nova de Foz Côa (17 km), Sernancelhe (20 km), Trancoso (22 km), São João da Pesqueira (22 km).
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