Population
The city itself has 141,410 inhabitants out of which over 88,9% identify themselves as Polish (as of 2002 National Census); its density is 955.3 per km². The city's population peaked in 1997 with 144,943 citizens. After than, Rybnik was slightly decreasing with the lowest level in 2007: 141,080. Since then, the city increases again due to positive natural change (+432 in 2010) that overcomes net loss in migration (-394 in 2010). Rybnik's demographic situation remains far better than most of other big Polish cities, with rather young population: 18,2% being under the age of 18 and only 15,9% older than 65.
According to the National Census of 2002 out of 142,731 Rybnik's citizens, 126,860 (88,9%) declared Polish nationality, 8,980 (6,3%) were Silesians and 382 were of German origin (0,3%). The rest, which is 5,509 citizens (4,5%) couldn't declare one nationality or were of other origin. Nevertheless, many organisations including Ukrainian Association in Poland, Autonomy of Silesia Movement and Adam Smith Centre claimed, due to many complaints, that 2002 Census was manipulated and many people were denied to declare nationality other than Polish.
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