China | 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
People's Republic of China
Records
63
Source
China | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
1961 2.05359558
1962 3.87367811
1963 5.49364102
1964 5.32734351
1965 1.21054285
1966 1.83735116
1967 1.84240346
1968 1.8829289
1969 2.01239515
1970 2.02873596
1971 2.12429188
1972 1.83083167
1973 2.28339576
1974 2.6924796
1975 2.38901572
1976 1.89157239
1977 1.70583299
1978 3.48394507
1979 5.26137093
1980 5.1572837
1981 5.13186895
1982 5.29566625
1983 4.47484202
1984 4.32043302
1985 4.33904712
1986 4.43810059
1987 4.53158221
1988 4.51483099
1989 4.40263204
1990 4.30967848
1991 4.60168513
1992 4.42511729
1993 4.30154774
1994 4.2458406
1995 4.15963799
1996 4.08605174
1997 4.00828551
1998 3.90807857
1999 3.77008873
2000 3.64925271
2001 4.05956576
2002 4.19800115
2003 4.07840353
2004 3.97537213
2005 3.88247298
2006 3.67472809
2007 3.51125555
2008 3.43395769
2009 3.33810247
2010 3.25536549
2011 3.12337718
2012 3.1306566
2013 3.04836501
2014 2.95349744
2015 2.84287055
2016 2.77564177
2017 2.73966382
2018 2.5034005
2019 2.29017723
2020 2.07814006
2021 1.83853028
2022 1.64948086

China | 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
People's Republic of China
Records
63
Source