Minorca has a population of about 52,000, out of which Mahon, the capital, together with its two suburbs of Villa Carlos (Es Castell) and San Luis, account for one half. Ciudadela, its second main town, in the west, has a little over 12,000 inhabitants. The only other town of any 'size is the inland one of Alayor, with a population of about 5,500. The remainder is distributed among the small towns of Mercadal, Ferrerias, San Cristobal, Fornells and San Clemente, together with the rural areas.
We have a fairly clear picture of the population pattern and growth in the past, even in early times. The population in the last centuries BC has been estimated by L. P. Garcia at about 5,000. This is deduced from the numbers of young men from the island who were reported by classical authors as having been recruited as mercenary slingers for service abroad.
These early peoples lived mainly in the southern half of Minorca, and this pattern persists. The comparative absence of coastal towns was due to the desire to avoid the ravages of both wind and piracy. Even more striking were the effects - which still persist - of the administrative policy of the British in the eighteenth century, when in 1713 they transferred the capital from Ciudadela to Mahon. This led to a decline of Ciudadela, and Mahon increased its population, a preponderance it still retains.
Accurate records of population growth in the eighteenth century are a legacy of the British occupation. A census in 1723 gave the population (excluding priests and the garrison) as 16,082. By 1782 it was 26,281, and this upward trend has continued. 

Recent increases due to foreign settlers are unlikely to influence materially an anticipated further slow growth. The present population density is only 72 persons per square kilometre, as compared with Malta's 1,000 per square kilometre. This low figure is combined with a high standard of living and industry.
 
 

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