Azerbaijan Population
Azerbaijan is one of the world’s oldest oil producers. The conflict with neighboring Armenia and widespread corruption have long characterized the former Soviet Republic. Despite its resources, Azerbaijan’s transition to market economy has been slow. On paper, Azerbaijan is a parliamentary democracy, but in practice the country has been dictatorially governed by the Aliyev family since 1993.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Baku
- Ethnic groups: Azerbaijan 91.6%, lezghin 2%, Russians 1.3%, Armenians 1.3%, talysh 1.3%, other 2.4% (2009)
- Language: Azerbaijan (Azeri) (official) 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4%, other 4.7% (2009)
- Religion: Muslims 96.9%, Christians 3%, others; less than 0.2% (2010)
- Population: 9 828 000 (2017)
- Control Form: Republic
- Area: 86 600 km2
- Currency: Manat
- GNP per capita: 17 257 PPP $
- National Day: May 28th
In 2013, the population of Azerbaijan was estimated at 9,417,000 and annual population growth at 1%. Life expectancy at birth is 74 years for women and 68 years for men.
Developments following the census of 1959 show that the proportion of Azerbaijanis has increased, along with a decrease in the proportion of Russians and Armenians. This trend has accelerated. In 2008, about 90% of the population were Azerbaijani (Azeri), 2.5% Russian and 2% Armenian.
The settlement is the densest in the Kura recess and especially in and around the capital Bakı (Baku, 2,123 million residents (2011, Index Mundi). Other major cities are Gandja and Sumqayit. 54% of the population lives in cities (World Bank 2013).
Population of Azerbaijan by Year (Historical)
| Year | Population | Annual Growth Rate | Population Density | Global Rank |
| 2020 | 10,139,066 | 0.910% | 122.6642 | 90 |
| 2019 | 10,047,607 | 0.990% | 121.5577 | 90 |
| 2018 | 9,949,426 | 1.060% | 120.3699 | 91 |
| 2017 | 9,845,209 | 1.120% | 119.1091 | 90 |
| 2016 | 9,735,932 | 1.180% | 117.7871 | 91 |
| 2015 | 9,622,634 | 1.270% | 116.4164 | 91 |
| 2010 | 9,032,350 | 1.130% | 109.2751 | 91 |
| 2005 | 8,538,494 | 1.000% | 103.3004 | 90 |
| 2000 | 8,122,630 | 0.880% | 98.2693 | 89 |
| 1995 | 7,775,313 | 1.430% | 94.0674 | 86 |
| 1990 | 7,242,650 | 1.670% | 87.6232 | 86 |
| 1985 | 6,666,336 | 1.620% | 80.6510 | 84 |
| 1980 | 6,150,622 | 1.630% | 74.4118 | 84 |
| 1975 | 5,674,022 | 1.840% | 68.6459 | 81 |
| 1970 | 5,179,912 | 2.440% | 62.6681 | 80 |
| 1965 | 4,592,498 | 3.350% | 55.5616 | 80 |
| 1960 | 3,895,286 | 3.190% | 47.1267 | 85 |
| 1955 | 3,329,276 | 2.600% | 40.2791 | 88 |
| 1950 | 2,927,810 | 0.000% | 35.4221 | 90 |
Major Cities in Azerbaijan by Population
| Rank | City | Population |
| 1 | Baku | 1,116,402 |
| 2 | Ganja | 313,189 |
| 3 | Sumqayit | 265,039 |
| 4 | Lankaran | 240,189 |
| 5 | Mingelchaur | 95,342 |
| 6 | Saatli | 86,889 |
| 7 | Qaracuxur | 72,878 |
| 8 | Sirvan | 70,109 |
| 9 | Bakixanov | 66,575 |
| 10 | Nakhchivan | 64,643 |
| 11 | Sheki | 62,889 |
| 12 | Yevlakh | 58,925 |
| 13 | Xankandi | 52,989 |
| 14 | Bilajari | 42,083 |
| 15 | Mastaga | 39,981 |
| 16 | Agdam | 39,340 |
| 17 | Khirdalan | 37,838 |
| 18 | Barda | 37,261 |
| 19 | Xacmaz | 37,064 |
| 20 | Salyan | 36,444 |
| 21 | Hovsan | 36,182 |
| 22 | Jalilabad | 36,148 |
| 23 | Shamkhor | 35,310 |
| 24 | Geoktschai | 35,237 |
| 25 | Agdzhabedy | 34,878 |
| 26 | Imishli | 34,067 |
| 27 | Lokbatan | 30,583 |
| 28 | Shamakhi | 29,292 |
| 29 | Sabirabad | 27,964 |
| 30 | Amirdzhan | 26,687 |
| 31 | Fizuli | 26,654 |
| 32 | Buzovna | 24,684 |
| 33 | Biny Selo | 24,485 |
| 34 | Agdas | 23,417 |
| 35 | Divichibazar | 23,137 |
| 36 | Haciqabul | 22,991 |
| 37 | Quba | 22,294 |
| 38 | Zabrat | 21,285 |
| 39 | Sabuncu | 20,885 |
| 40 | Kyurdarmir | 18,977 |
| 41 | Haci Zeynalabdin | 18,908 |
| 42 | Qazax | 18,792 |
| 43 | Shushi | 18,551 |
| 44 | Neftcala | 18,550 |
| 45 | Zaqatala | 18,166 |
| 46 | Terter | 18,074 |
| 47 | Yelenendorf | 17,705 |
| 48 | Ahmadbayli | 17,131 |
| 49 | Aghsu | 17,098 |
| 50 | Yeni Suraxani | 16,016 |
| 51 | Qusar | 15,911 |
| 52 | Ujar | 15,630 |
| 53 | Beylagan | 15,488 |
| 54 | Mardakan | 15,156 |
| 55 | Astara | 15,079 |
| 56 | Binagadi | 13,901 |
| 57 | Xudat | 13,514 |
| 58 | Ismayilli | 13,499 |
| 59 | Pirallahi | 13,324 |
| 60 | Qobustan | 13,287 |
| 61 | Prishibinskoye | 13,229 |
| 62 | Tovuz | 12,515 |
| 63 | Aghstafa | 12,431 |
| 64 | Qax | 11,881 |
| 65 | Qutqashen | 11,756 |
| 66 | Badamdar | 11,287 |
| 67 | Balakhani | 10,752 |
| 68 | Culfa | 10,709 |
| 69 | Zardob | 10,501 |
| 70 | Saray | 10,062 |
| 71 | Martakert | 10,056 |
| 72 | Zyrya | 9,988 |
| 73 | Yukhary-Dashkesan | 9,789 |
| 74 | Ordubad | 9,670 |
| 75 | Turkan | 9,588 |
| 76 | Masally | 9,493 |
| 77 | Belokany | 9,071 |
| 78 | Aliabad | 8,992 |
| 79 | Bilajer | 8,872 |
| 80 | Ramana | 8,744 |
| 81 | Kyadabek | 8,546 |
| 82 | Corat | 8,513 |
| 83 | Yayci | 8,389 |
| 84 | Kerbakhiar | 8,289 |
| 85 | Jebrail | 8,285 |
| 86 | Cahri | 8,089 |
| 87 | Nardaran | 7,589 |
| 88 | Zangilan | 7,372 |
| 89 | Dzagam | 7,331 |
| 90 | Qobu | 7,266 |
| 91 | Goranboy | 7,222 |
| 92 | Sharur City | 6,989 |
| 93 | Lerik | 6,983 |
| 94 | Severo-Vostotchnyi Bank | 6,964 |
| 95 | Naftalan | 6,934 |
| 96 | Qubadli | 6,779 |
| 97 | Aran | 6,613 |
| 98 | Oguz | 6,489 |
| 99 | Cinarli | 6,397 |
| 100 | Mincivan | 6,242 |
| 101 | Qizilhacili | 6,219 |
| 102 | Samux | 5,902 |
| 103 | Dunyamalilar | 5,857 |
| 104 | Boradigah | 5,793 |
| 105 | Xocali | 5,699 |
| 106 | Ceyranbatan | 5,573 |
| 107 | Avsar | 5,489 |
| 108 | Qarayeri | 5,454 |
| 109 | Khodzhi-Gasan | 4,978 |
| 110 | Novyy Karanlug | 4,968 |
| 111 | Yardimli | 3,893 |
| 112 | Qobustan | 3,643 |
| 113 | Lacin | 2,189 |
| 114 | Khyzy | 913 |
Religion
The country was Islamized in the early 600s during the first Arab conquests. Azerbaijan came under Russian control in the 19th century and was a Union Republic of the Soviet Union in the years 1936–91. Of the country’s population, 93.4% are Shia Muslims (ithna ashariyya), but smaller Sunni Muslim groups live in the north. 1.1% are Russian Orthodox Christians and 1.1% belong to the Armenian Church. Other groups – including non-religious, make up 4.4%.
Language
The national language is Azerbaijani (Azeri, Azeri), which is spoken as a native language of approximately 89% of the population (1995). Otherwise, Russian, Armenian, Lesgian and other Caucasian languages are spoken.
