Antarctica has no permanent residents, but it does have a transient population of researchers and support staff. During the summer months (approximately October to February), the population can swell to around 5,000 to 6,000 people due to various scientific research stations. In winter (March to September), this number drops significantly to about 1,000 to 2,000 people, as many stations are closed or operate with reduced staff. These numbers can vary based on research activities and international agreements regarding the continent.