Population

In 2009, Lorient had a population of 57,812. In 2008, its intercommunality had 191,716 inhabitants. Lorient is the most populous commune in Morbihan département, although the préfecture is the slightly smaller commune of Vannes. Inhabitants of Lorient are called Lorientais.

Historical population Year Pop.   ±%   1793 22,318 —     1800 17,837 −20.1% 1806 20,553 +15.2% 1821 17,115 −16.7% 1831 18,322 +7.1% 1841 23,621 +28.9% 1851 25,694 +8.8% 1861 35,462 +38.0% 1872 34,660 −2.3% 1881 37,812 +9.1% 1891 42,116 +11.4% 1901 44,640 +6.0% 1911 49,039 +9.9% 1921 46,314 −5.6% 1931 42,853 −7.5% 1946 11,838 −72.4% 1954 47,095 +297.8% 1968 66,444 +41.1% 1975 69,769 +5.0% 1982 62,554 −10.3% 1990 59,271 −5.2% 1999 59,189 −0.1% 2009 57,812 −2.3% Sources: until 1962, from 1968 Breton language

The municipality launched a linguistic plan through Ya d'ar brezhoneg on 25 January 2007.

In 2008, 2.71% of the children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.