Africa Western and Central | Urban population growth (annual %)
Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Development relevance: Explosive growth of cities globally signifies the demographic transition from rural to urban, and is associated with shifts from an agriculture-based economy to mass industry, technology, and service. In principle, cities offer a more favorable setting for the resolution of social and environmental problems than rural areas. Cities generate jobs and income, and deliver education, health care and other services. Cities also present opportunities for social mobilization and women's empowerment. Limitations and exceptions: There is no consistent and universally accepted standard for distinguishing urban from rural areas, in part because of the wide variety of situations across countries. Most countries use an urban classification related to the size or characteristics of settlements. Some define urban areas based on the presence of certain infrastructure and services. And other countries designate urban areas based on administrative arrangements. Because of national differences in the characteristics that distinguish urban from rural areas, the distinction between urban and rural population is not amenable to a single definition that would be applicable to all countries. Estimates of the world's urban population would change significantly if China, India, and a few other populous nations were to change their definition of urban centers. Because the estimates of city and metropolitan area are based on national definitions of what constitutes a city or metropolitan area, cross-country comparisons should be made with caution. Statistical concept and methodology: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The indicator is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. To estimate urban populations, UN ratios of urban to total population were applied to the World Bank's estimates of total population. Countries differ in the way they classify population as "urban" or "rural." The population of a city or metropolitan area depends on the boundaries chosen.
Publisher
The World Bank
Origin
Africa Western and Central
Records
63
Source
Africa Western and Central | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
4.78742115 1961
4.81240254 1962
4.91991699 1963
4.98638463 1964
5.05666084 1965
4.88961785 1966
4.9177616 1967
4.95279843 1968
4.98537024 1969
4.96135326 1970
5.3033092 1971
5.34410032 1972
5.3941543 1973
5.46265525 1974
5.51974654 1975
5.53416164 1976
5.32298457 1977
5.34176862 1978
4.93850956 1979
4.91367037 1980
5.39114728 1981
5.36748402 1982
5.15148031 1983
5.10600089 1984
5.29420845 1985
5.2074349 1986
5.12061506 1987
5.04513026 1988
4.97955957 1989
4.70050837 1990
4.08571724 1991
4.12748559 1992
4.03107944 1993
3.92591171 1994
3.95390259 1995
3.95075931 1996
4.08094689 1997
4.13127916 1998
4.11049113 1999
4.14518949 2000
4.56798571 2001
4.55612812 2002
4.55591742 2003
4.55934985 2004
4.57026469 2005
4.55801765 2006
4.51846167 2007
4.48702372 2008
4.47733141 2009
4.46604707 2010
4.43214514 2011
4.36296966 2012
4.26573065 2013
4.22775137 2014
4.17810771 2015
4.13251994 2016
4.0954527 2017
4.02943851 2018
3.96722245 2019
3.92380423 2020
3.8528682 2021
3.79381108 2022
Africa Western and Central | Urban population growth (annual %)
Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Development relevance: Explosive growth of cities globally signifies the demographic transition from rural to urban, and is associated with shifts from an agriculture-based economy to mass industry, technology, and service. In principle, cities offer a more favorable setting for the resolution of social and environmental problems than rural areas. Cities generate jobs and income, and deliver education, health care and other services. Cities also present opportunities for social mobilization and women's empowerment. Limitations and exceptions: There is no consistent and universally accepted standard for distinguishing urban from rural areas, in part because of the wide variety of situations across countries. Most countries use an urban classification related to the size or characteristics of settlements. Some define urban areas based on the presence of certain infrastructure and services. And other countries designate urban areas based on administrative arrangements. Because of national differences in the characteristics that distinguish urban from rural areas, the distinction between urban and rural population is not amenable to a single definition that would be applicable to all countries. Estimates of the world's urban population would change significantly if China, India, and a few other populous nations were to change their definition of urban centers. Because the estimates of city and metropolitan area are based on national definitions of what constitutes a city or metropolitan area, cross-country comparisons should be made with caution. Statistical concept and methodology: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The indicator is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. To estimate urban populations, UN ratios of urban to total population were applied to the World Bank's estimates of total population. Countries differ in the way they classify population as "urban" or "rural." The population of a city or metropolitan area depends on the boundaries chosen.
Publisher
The World Bank
Origin
Africa Western and Central
Records
63
Source