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Population Estimates 500-1500AD


It is very difficult to know even the approxmate population of various parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. Yet such numbers are quite useful in gaining some notion of the numbers of people in Europe during this period. Various authors have used various techniques for estimating populations. The reader is advised to check each source for a discussion as to how these estimates were obtained.

Population of Medieval Europe according to Carlo Cipolla
Region 1000 1300 1500 1700
Balkans - - 7 8
Low Countries - - 2 3
British Isles 2 5 5 9
Danubian Countries - - 6 9
France 5 15 16 19
Germany 3 12 13 15
Italy 5 10 11 13
Poland - - 4 6
Russia - - 10 18
Scandanavia - - - 3
Spain and Portugal - - 9 10

 


Source: Based on Carlo M. Cipolla, Before the Industrial Revolution, Third Edition subtitled "European Society and Economy 1000-1700" ( Norton, 1994), p. 4

From the now defunct Medieval Technology site. The site was maintained by Dr. Paul J. Gans (1933-2021). The author is Paul J. Gans. In addition any included original images and the specific electronic form and design of this material are copyright (©) Paul J. Gans, 1997-2002. Dr. Gans, a friend of mine, notes "Permission is granted by the copyright owners to copy the text and to print out copies for personal or educational use provided that the copyright owners are mentioned as such and all included attributions, including the author's name, are retained. No permission is granted for commercial use of any of this material without the express written consent of the copyright owners." I believe resuing his material from the defunt site would be pleasing to him in his efforts to make electronic materials available for teaching..

This text is part of the Internet Medieval Sourcebook. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and copy-permitted texts related to medieval and Byzantine history. Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the document is copyright. Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational purposes and personal use. If you do reduplicate the document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use.

© Paul Halsall, February 2023
[email protected]


The Internet Medieval Sourcebook is part of the Internet History Sourcebooks Project. The Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of  Fordham University, New York. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at the Fordham University Center for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University.   Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.

© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 3 May 2024 [CV]