The meeting had 881,348 inhabitants on January 1, 2022 according to INSEE, which published the reference population of each municipality on the island at the end of December.
Between 2016 and 2022, The Reunionese population has increased by 0,5% on average per year, or 4,700 more inhabitants each year. This is the natural balance, difference between births and deaths, demographic growth, Even if it has been cut for a few years under the effect of the aging of the population. The surplus of births on deaths leads to an increase in the population of 8,400 inhabitants per year on average between 2016 and 2022. However, Reunion departures, more numerous than arrivals since the mid -2010, help to slow population growth. The migratory balance, difference between arrivals and departures, amounts to -3,600 inhabitants per year on average between 2016 and 2022 and -5,000 between 2011 and 2016. He is in particular in deficit at the age of departure for studies. The population grows more strongly in the north of the island (+1 % on average per year). Saint-Denis is the most populous town with 156,149 inhabitants in 2022. The installations in the North are as numerous as the almost zero migratory departure. The population drops in the majority of seven municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants : -0,2 % in Sainte-Rose and Salazie, -0,5 % in Saint-Philippe and -0,6 % in Cilaos. On the other hand, The Plaine-des-Palmists is distinguished by strong growth in its population (+1,4 %), While that of the in-between is growing at regional rhythm (+0,5 %) and that that of Trois-Bassins remained stable between 2016 and 2022.
