The invention discloses an open type scene-oriented entrance and exit population counting method and device. The method comprises the following steps of: arranging a shoeprint collection plate with a camera device at an entrance and exit for acquiring original shoeprint pictures; extracting shoeprints; comparing each shoeprint with shoeprints in a preset time window, if the shoeprint does not exist in the time window, adding 1 to a population counting number in the corresponding direction, storing the shoeprint, and stepping into the next step, otherwise, keeping the population counting number in the corresponding direction unchanged; and comparing each shoeprint with shoeprints stored within a population counting time period, and if the shoeprint does not exist in the population counting time period, adding 1 into the population counting number, otherwise, keeping the population counting number unchanged. The invention is suitable for counting the population at the entrance and exit in the open type scene; the problem of shading of groups can be solved, and the same person can be identified; the population of people getting into and getting out of the entrance and exit can be simultaneously counted; and the environment adaptability is high.