Barnaul population in 2020 totaled 695,5 thousand people, which was 29.5% of the Altai Territory population. The proportion of the working-age population is 59.3%, of which 13% are employed in industry.
Leading universities of the city are the largest centers of international educational and scientific cooperation with universities in Europe and Asia. Active development of economic, cultural and educational connections with countries of Central Asia are determined by the transboundary position of the Altai Territory.
The city is a scientific center - it employs about 30 research-and-design and survey institutes. One of the most famous in the country is Scientific Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia named after M.A. Lisavenko. It has its own arboretum. About 2 thousand inhabitants of the city have a scientific degree.
Within the state program "Health Development in Altai Krai until 2020", health care development, improving the provision of medical care, and monitoring the quality and safety of medical activities in 11 main directions are being implemented. An integral part of the modern healthcare system of the city is the Medical Cluster of the Altai Territory.
A significant cultural wealth of the city is provided by more than 100 objects of cultural heritage of federal and regional significance, UNESCO World Heritage sites, theaters, museums, cinemas, recreational facilities and entertainment.
Within the framework of the project in assessment of life quality in Russian cities, conducted by the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Barnaul has been ranked 13th among large and medium-sized cities in terms of the level of cultural and educational environment.
Residents and guests of Barnaul note a high level of gardening, as well as a significant pace of development.
In the history and modern life of Barnaul there are many interesting facts.
Representatives of the capital of the Altai Territory are permanent participants of the Olympic Games, world championships and Europe.
There is a Palace of Sports, the "Ob” sports center, a children and youth sports center "Victory", a ski complex "Avalman", an ice palace of sports "Karandin-Arena" (Dynamo), stadiums, gyms, swimming pools, hippodrome, skiing center, shooting galleries.