Arab World | 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
Arab World
Records
63
Source
Arab World | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
1961 4.99370799
1962 5.01129475
1963 5.09238577
1964 5.14833325
1965 5.22820745
1966 5.10009189
1967 4.81147156
1968 4.84992438
1969 4.85066983
1970 4.81309407
1971 4.69869637
1972 4.72212422
1973 4.71042464
1974 4.59259947
1975 4.69672462
1976 5.16891063
1977 5.02024944
1978 4.28572348
1979 4.38463784
1980 4.71911081
1981 4.50431263
1982 4.38893741
1983 4.50798688
1984 4.58265721
1985 4.39815755
1986 4.37993059
1987 4.18262868
1988 3.78383624
1989 3.64274195
1990 4.14820736
1991 2.98453955
1992 3.6083802
1993 3.54026514
1994 3.25133065
1995 2.87557599
1996 2.78600077
1997 2.80948793
1998 2.79935442
1999 2.77031497
2000 2.76137515
2001 2.73856886
2002 2.70492065
2003 2.68777311
2004 2.68148731
2005 2.97594603
2006 3.29240798
2007 3.21005995
2008 3.52502178
2009 3.44044106
2010 3.13969527
2011 2.64099525
2012 2.56523642
2013 2.86427088
2014 2.84813396
2015 2.75797536
2016 2.59883689
2017 2.50430512
2018 2.5479579
2019 2.50527075
2020 2.11009253
2021 1.97980958
2022 2.2391016

Arab World | 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
Arab World
Records
63
Source