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
1961 4.78742115
1962 4.81240254
1963 4.91991699
1964 4.98638463
1965 5.05666084
1966 4.88961785
1967 4.9177616
1968 4.95279843
1969 4.98537024
1970 4.96135326
1971 5.3033092
1972 5.34410032
1973 5.3941543
1974 5.46265525
1975 5.51974654
1976 5.53416164
1977 5.32298457
1978 5.34176862
1979 4.93850956
1980 4.91367037
1981 5.39114728
1982 5.36748402
1983 5.15148031
1984 5.10600089
1985 5.29420845
1986 5.2074349
1987 5.12061506
1988 5.04513026
1989 4.97955957
1990 4.70050837
1991 4.08571724
1992 4.12748559
1993 4.03107944
1994 3.92591171
1995 3.95390259
1996 3.95075931
1997 4.08094689
1998 4.13127916
1999 4.11049113
2000 4.14518949
2001 4.56798571
2002 4.55612812
2003 4.55591742
2004 4.55934985
2005 4.57026469
2006 4.55801765
2007 4.51846167
2008 4.48702372
2009 4.47733141
2010 4.46604707
2011 4.43214514
2012 4.36296966
2013 4.26573065
2014 4.22775137
2015 4.17810771
2016 4.13251994
2017 4.0954527
2018 4.02943851
2019 3.96722245
2020 3.92380423
2021 3.8528682
2022 3.79381108
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