Georgia’s Demographic Panorama: A New Reality Emerges

Preliminary results from the 2024 national census reveal a striking shift in Georgia’s demographic landscape. The country’s total population now stands at 3.9 million—an increase of approximately 5% (or 200,000 people) compared to the 2014 census. Importantly, this figure includes not only Georgian citizens but also foreign migrants residing in the country, providing a fuller picture of Georgia’s real demographic structure.

However, this growth is far from evenly distributed across regions. While urban areas are experiencing strong population gains, many rural regions are facing decline. As expected, the most significant growth occurred in Tbilisi, where the population increased by 221,000 over the past decade, now exceeding 1.33 million—a 20% rise that further underscores Georgia’s ongoing urbanization.

Batumi recorded the second-highest growth with a dramatic 53% increase, adding 82,000 residents. Driven by tourism, infrastructure development, and international ties, Batumi is rapidly becoming a regional growth hub. Kvemo Kartli follows with a 3% increase (14,400 more people), while Mtskheta-Mtianeti saw a modest 1% uptick.

Despite urban growth, Georgia remains a predominantly rural country, and it is in the regions where the demographic crisis is most visible. The population in Imereti declined by 28,400 people (a 5% drop), while Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti suffered a 7% decrease. Kakheti, Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti all saw 5–10% declines. The steepest drop was in Guria, where the population shrank by 11% (12,600 fewer people). These figures highlight the severe impact of migration and low birth rates on the rural communities of western Georgia.

Overall, population growth is concentrated in the capital and a few cities, creating a clear urban–rural divide. Tbilisi, Batumi, and Rustavi are emerging as demographic hubs, while most regions are battling population decline, driven by outmigration, low fertility, and aging. If unaddressed, this trend will deepen socioeconomic inequality between urban and rural Georgia, potentially accelerating the abandonment of rural infrastructure and further population consolidation in cities.

The new census sends a clear message to policymakers: Georgia’s long-term development requires strategic demographic planning, smart urban and regional policies, and targeted investments in regional revitalization. Without such interventions, the country risks demographic imbalance, undermining its economic and social cohesion in the years ahead.