diff --git a/src/main/java/simpaths/model/SimPathsModel.java b/src/main/java/simpaths/model/SimPathsModel.java
index d48751e57..79cec6480 100644
--- a/src/main/java/simpaths/model/SimPathsModel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/simpaths/model/SimPathsModel.java
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public void setFirstRun(boolean firstRun) {
     private boolean flagUpdateCountry = false;  // set to true if switch between countries
 
     @GUIparameter(description = "Simulated population size (base year)")
-    private Integer popSize = 170000;
+    private Integer popSize = 50000;
 
     @GUIparameter(description = "Simulation first year [valid range 2011-2019]")
     private Integer startYear = 2011;