Gârbou: population and statistics
Gârbou has a population of 1,806 (2026) across 98.6 km², or 18.3 people per km². It ranks 2,507 of 3,181 localities by population. Its population is falling: −16.5% between 2016 and 2026.
- 1,806 residents
- 98.6 km²
- 18 people/km²
Key points
Among the 61 localities in Sălaj County, Gârbou ranks No. 40 by population.
People leaving the municipality per 1,000 inhabitants: 28.8 ‰ in Gârbou, compared with an average of 16.3 ‰ in Sălaj County and 20.1 ‰ nationally.
Dwellings per 1,000 inhabitants: 648.4 ‰ in Gârbou, compared with an average of 462.4 ‰ in Sălaj County and 470.2 ‰ nationally.
Gârbou: the most common activity among active businesses is Land transport and transport via pipelines (14 businesses).
Gârbou in numbers
Where is Gârbou?
Neighbouring localities
- Recea-Cristur7.3 km · 1,355
- Cristolț7.8 km · 1,034
- Zalha9.1 km · 756
- Bălan9.9 km · 3,703
- Hida11 km · 2,558
- Dragu13 km · 1,440
- Surduc14 km · 3,560
- Panticeu14 km · 1,694
All localities in Sălaj County
Localities of similar size
Population of Gârbou over time
Gârbou had 2,164 residents in 2016 and 1,806 in 2026.
| Year | Population (by registered residence) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,978 |
| 2022 | 1,938 |
| 2023 | 1,877 |
| 2024 | 1,853 |
| 2025 | 1,841 |
| 2026 | 1,806 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Sălaj County for “People leaving the municipality per 1,000 inhabitants”.
- “People leaving the municipality per 1,000 inhabitants”: higher than in 97% of localities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 13,811 football pitches.
- Its population density is 5.0 times lower than the national average.
- The nearest locality is Recea-Cristur, 7.3 km away.
- The nearest more populous locality is Bălan (3,703 residents), 9.9 km away.
All indicators for Gârbou
Value for the locality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the locality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Gârbou | Sălaj County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People settling in the municipality per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 17.2 ‰ | 14.1 ‰ | 16.0 ‰ | ranked 1,345 of 3,163 | |
| People leaving the municipality per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 28.8 ‰ | 16.3 ‰ | 17.3 ‰ | ranked 107 of 3,163 | |
| Live births per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 8.3 ‰ | 8.8 ‰ | 6.9 ‰ | ranked 942 of 3,157 | |
| Deaths per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 17.2 ‰ | 11.4 ‰ | 13.0 ‰ | ranked 638 of 3,163 |
Housing
| Indicator | Gârbou | Sălaj County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits for residential buildings per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 1.11 ‰ | 1.93 ‰ | 1.53 ‰ | ranked 1,537 of 2,438 | |
| Existing dwellings (2025) | 1,171 | 109,182 | 10,177,161 | ranked 2,128 of 3,181 | |
| Dwellings per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 648.4 ‰ | 462.4 ‰ | 484.8 ‰ | ranked 411 of 3,163 | |
| Average living floor area per dwelling (m²) (2025) | 47.0 m² | 52.2 m² | 50.3 m² | ranked 1,972 of 3,163 |
Economy
| Indicator | Gârbou | Sălaj County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active companies in the trade register per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 23.3 ‰ | 41.7 ‰ | 29.4 ‰ | ranked 2,126 of 3,163 | |
| Companies registered in the last 12 months per 1,000 inhabitants (2026) | 2.77 ‰ | 2.57 ‰ | 2.10 ‰ | ranked 1,062 of 3,163 |
Employment
| Indicator | Gârbou | Sălaj County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average number of employees per 1,000 inhabitants (2024) | 70 ‰ | 223 ‰ | 71 ‰ | ranked 1,592 of 3,163 | |
| Registered unemployed as a share of labour resources (working-age population) (2026) | 6.8% | 4.0% | 2.3% | ranked 451 of 3,163 |
Health
| Indicator | Gârbou | Sălaj County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctors per 1,000 inhabitants (2024) | 0.55 ‰ | 2.13 ‰ | 0.52 ‰ | ranked 1,309 of 2,833 | |
| Family doctors per 1,000 inhabitants (2024) | 0.55 ‰ | 0.48 ‰ | 0.46 ‰ | ranked 937 of 2,807 |
Education
| Indicator | Gârbou | Sălaj County | National | Position? | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School population (children, pupils and students) per 1,000 inhabitants (2025) | 85 ‰ | 154 ‰ | 91 ‰ | ranked 1,829 of 3,158 | |
| Education units per 10,000 inhabitants (2025) | 5.5 per 10,000 inh. | 4.4 per 10,000 inh. | 3.6 per 10,000 inh. | ranked 688 of 3,122 |
Businesses by activity: Gârbou
Active businesses in the business register with a recorded activity, by section and by activity (NACE Rev. 2). Only activities with at least 3 businesses are shown.
By industry section
- Transport and storage15 · 16.1%
- Wholesale and retail trade14 · 15.1%
- Manufacturing12 · 12.9%
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing11 · 11.8%
- Administrative and support services10 · 10.8%
- Construction6 · 6.5%
- Accommodation and food services6 · 6.5%
- Professional, scientific and technical4 · 4.3%
Most common activities
- Land transport and transport via pipelines14 · 15.1%
- Wholesale trade (except motor vehicles)11 · 11.8%
- Forestry and logging8 · 8.6%
- Warehousing and transport support activities8 · 8.6%
- Manufacture of wood and wood products (except furniture)7 · 7.5%
- Retail trade (except motor vehicles)7 · 7.5%
- Crop and animal production, hunting and related services6 · 6.5%
- Specialised construction activities6 · 6.5%
- Food and beverage service activities5 · 5.4%
- Rental and leasing activities5 · 5.4%
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Gârbou?
Gârbou has 1,806 residents (2026), ranking 2,507 of 3,181 localities.
How big is Gârbou?
Gârbou covers 98.6 km², with a density of 18 people per km².
Is the population of Gârbou growing?
Between 2016 and 2026, the population of Gârbou went from 2,164 to 1,806, a change of −16.5%.
Where is Gârbou?
Gârbou is in Sălaj County. Latitude 47.140, longitude 23.438.
People leaving the municipality per 1,000 inhabitants: what is the figure for Gârbou?
In Gârbou, “People leaving the municipality per 1,000 inhabitants” stands at 28.8 ‰ (2025), ranking 107 of 3,163 localities; the national median is 17.3 ‰.
Dwellings per 1,000 inhabitants: what is the figure for Gârbou?
In Gârbou, “Dwellings per 1,000 inhabitants” stands at 648.4 ‰ (2025), ranking 411 of 3,163 localities; the national median is 484.8 ‰.
Which localities border Gârbou?
The nearest to Gârbou are Recea-Cristur (7.3 km), Cristolț (7.8 km), Zalha (9.1 km), Bălan (9.9 km), Hida (11 km).