Povoação: population and statistics
Povoação has a population of 5,640 (2025) across 106.4 km², or 53.0 people per km². It ranks 245 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −2.4% between 2021 and 2025.
- 5,640 residents
- 106.4 km²
- 53 people/km²
- 0 m
Key points
Among the 19 municipalities in Região Autónoma dos Açores, Povoação ranks No. 9 by population.
Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants: 92.1 in Povoação, compared with an average of 129.0 in Região Autónoma dos Açores and 134.6 nationally.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 23.3% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 31° generates about 1,326 kWh a year here.
Povoação in numbers
Where is Povoação?
Population of Povoação over time
Povoação had 5,777 residents in 2021 and 5,640 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,777 |
| 2022 | 5,714 |
| 2023 | 5,643 |
| 2024 | 5,645 |
| 2025 | 5,640 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Região Autónoma dos Açores for “Usual residences with central heating”.
- Number 1 in Região Autónoma dos Açores for “Unemployment rate”.
- “Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants”: lower than in 98% of municipalities.
- “Population change between 2021 and 2025”: lower than in 94% of municipalities.
- “Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings”: lower than in 94% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 14,903 football pitches.
- Its population density is 2.3 times lower than the national average.
All indicators for Povoação
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 | Povoação | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 19.8% | 18.9% | 26.9% | ranked 283 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 12.8% | 13.6% | 11.7% | ranked 67 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 154.6 | – | 229.9 | ranked 277 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 53.0 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 176 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | −2.37% | – | 4.50% | ranked 288 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Povoação | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 3,471 | 100,478 | 3,573,416 | ranked 268 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 25.8% | 15.1% | 12.8% | ranked 34 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 17.7% | 22.6% | 16.8% | ranked 134 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 11.1% | 9.7% | 14.2% | ranked 233 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 3,575 | 113,159 | 5,970,677 | ranked 274 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 27.5% | 10.8% | 25.8% | ranked 137 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 12.8% | 12.2% | 13.1% | ranked 161 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 73.5% | 74.6% | 77.8% | ranked 217 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 17.3% | 17.2% | 13.6% | ranked 101 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 2.4% | 11.4% | 13.8% | ranked 287 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 1,277 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 130 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Povoação | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 78.5% | 76.7% | 18.6% | ranked 18 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 4.2% | 2.9% | 12.6% | ranked 247 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,250 kWh/inh. | 3,350 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 213 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Povoação | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 520 | 31,396 | 1,510,274 | ranked 279 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 92.1 | 129.0 | 128.1 | ranked 301 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 9,067 € | 12,184 € | 10,553 € | ranked 274 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 68.7 | 87.8 | 79.5 | ranked 268 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Povoação | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 10.8% | 6.9% | 7.0% | ranked 24 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,162 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 251 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Povoação | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 123,483 | 3,109,259 | 82,011,658 | ranked 79 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 2,188 | 1,270 | 275.0 | ranked 24 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 5.7% | – | 18.4% | ranked 158 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Povoação | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 9.6% | 16.0% | 13.2% | ranked 271 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Povoação
Business sectors: Povoação
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing23.3% ×2.9
- Accommodation and food services16.7% ×2.0
- Wholesale and retail trade9.8% ×0.7
- Other service activities8.1% ×1.6
- Administrative and support services7.7% ×0.5
- Health and social work6.2% ×0.8
- Professional, scientific and technical5.8% ×0.6
- Arts, entertainment and recreation4.4% ×1.4
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Povoação?
Povoação has 5,640 residents (2025), ranking 245 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Povoação?
Povoação covers 106.4 km², with a density of 53 people per km².
Is the population of Povoação growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Povoação went from 5,777 to 5,640, a change of −2.4%.
Where is Povoação?
Povoação is in Região Autónoma dos Açores. Latitude 37.746, longitude −25.245.
Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants: what is the figure for Povoação?
In Povoação, “Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants” stands at 92.1 (2023), ranking 301 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 128.1.
Population change between 2021 and 2025: what is the figure for Povoação?
In Povoação, “Population change between 2021 and 2025” stands at −2.37% (2025), ranking 288 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 4.50%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Povoação?
In Povoação, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 31° produces about 1,326 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Povoação?
The nearest to Povoação are Nordeste (13 km), Vila Franca do Campo (17 km), Ribeira Grande (25 km), Lagoa (Açores) (30 km), Ponta Delgada (37 km).
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