Mesão Frio: population and statistics
Mesão Frio has a population of 3,381 (2025) across 26.6 km², or 127 people per km². It ranks 286 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −4.9% between 2021 and 2025.
- 3,381 residents
- 26.6 km²
- 127 people/km²
- 409 m
Key points
Among the 14 municipalities in Vila Real, Mesão Frio ranks No. 14 by population.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 55.4% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 34° generates about 1,513 kWh a year here.
Mesão Frio in numbers
Where is Mesão Frio?
Population of Mesão Frio over time
Mesão Frio had 3,556 residents in 2021 and 3,381 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,556 |
| 2022 | 3,495 |
| 2023 | 3,456 |
| 2024 | 3,422 |
| 2025 | 3,381 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Vila Real for “Buildings built before 1946”.
- Number 1 in Vila Real for “Vacant dwellings”.
- “Population change between 2021 and 2025”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Average monthly earnings of employees”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Buildings”: lower than in 97% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 3,732 football pitches.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Peso da Régua (14,421 residents), 7.9 km away.
All indicators for Mesão Frio
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 | Mesão Frio | Vila Real | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 32.8% | 32.5% | 26.9% | ranked 71 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 9.1% | 10.2% | 11.7% | ranked 271 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 362.1 | – | 229.9 | ranked 48 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 126.9 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 110 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | −4.92% | – | 4.50% | ranked 304 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Mesão Frio | Vila Real | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 2,198 | 119,688 | 3,573,416 | ranked 300 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 30.8% | 11.8% | 12.8% | ranked 15 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 13.6% | 17.2% | 16.8% | ranked 241 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 19.0% | 15.6% | 14.2% | ranked 50 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 2,383 | 142,736 | 5,970,677 | ranked 298 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 26.6% | 33.8% | 25.8% | ranked 144 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 15.6% | 10.9% | 13.1% | ranked 93 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 78.6% | 80.3% | 77.8% | ranked 142 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 11.7% | 12.7% | 13.6% | ranked 190 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 8.6% | 21.7% | 13.8% | ranked 212 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 536 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 263 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Mesão Frio | Vila Real | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 19.4% | 11.0% | 18.6% | ranked 147 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 11.5% | 30.2% | 12.6% | ranked 161 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 2,399 kWh/inh. | 3,212 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 294 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Mesão Frio | Vila Real | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 592 | 30,702 | 1,510,274 | ranked 275 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 171.3 | 164.5 | 128.1 | ranked 46 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 8,820 € | 10,158 € | 10,553 € | ranked 285 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 70.2 | 80.4 | 79.5 | ranked 250 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Mesão Frio | Vila Real | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 8.4% | 7.8% | 7.0% | ranked 73 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,083 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 303 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Mesão Frio | Vila Real | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 32,788 | 727,979 | 82,011,658 | ranked 169 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 963.9 | 389.0 | 275.0 | ranked 46 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 27.1% | – | 18.4% | ranked 56 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Mesão Frio | Vila Real | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 9.1% | 16.0% | 13.2% | ranked 284 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Mesão Frio
Business sectors: Mesão Frio
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing55.4% ×6.9
- Wholesale and retail trade9.3% ×0.6
- Construction6.8% ×0.9
- Accommodation and food services6.1% ×0.7
- Health and social work6.1% ×0.8
- Professional, scientific and technical3.7% ×0.4
- Administrative and support services3.0% ×0.2
- Other service activities2.5% ×0.5
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mesão Frio?
Mesão Frio has 3,381 residents (2025), ranking 286 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Mesão Frio?
Mesão Frio covers 26.6 km², with a density of 127 people per km².
Is the population of Mesão Frio growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Mesão Frio went from 3,556 to 3,381, a change of −4.9%.
Where is Mesão Frio?
Mesão Frio is in Vila Real. Latitude 41.167, longitude −7.883.
Population change between 2021 and 2025: what is the figure for Mesão Frio?
In Mesão Frio, “Population change between 2021 and 2025” stands at −4.92% (2025), ranking 304 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 4.50%.
Average monthly earnings of employees: what is the figure for Mesão Frio?
In Mesão Frio, “Average monthly earnings of employees” stands at 1,083 € (2024), ranking 303 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 1,258 €.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Mesão Frio?
In Mesão Frio, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 34° produces about 1,513 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Mesão Frio?
The nearest to Mesão Frio are Peso da Régua (7.9 km), Santa Marta de Penaguião (9.2 km), Resende (9.3 km), Lamego (9.8 km), Baião (13 km).
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