Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) | 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
Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)
Records
63
Source
Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
3.19988842 1961
3.09264205 1962
3.06326901 1963
3.02626587 1964
2.93863103 1965
2.65117009 1966
2.65987223 1967
2.6034948 1968
2.50969224 1969
2.37581737 1970
2.29333462 1971
2.29742255 1972
2.26022501 1973
2.23431718 1974
2.176269 1975
2.16579303 1976
2.12155416 1977
2.0767063 1978
1.89807726 1979
1.74597013 1980
1.89954855 1981
1.92472919 1982
1.92750087 1983
1.98955975 1984
1.93608058 1985
1.83560161 1986
1.78581513 1987
1.73022697 1988
1.34518872 1989
0.92105132 1990
0.77986621 1991
0.5414588 1992
0.42202661 1993
0.32555988 1994
0.2335086 1995
0.23962048 1996
0.22133284 1997
0.2077321 1998
0.15251985 1999
0.06833593 2000
0.0862931 2001
0.1310519 2002
0.2567527 2003
0.32423666 2004
0.35082013 2005
0.38522883 2006
0.35183018 2007
0.5427771 2008
0.6555162 2009
0.69676212 2010
0.70833089 2011
0.63867562 2012
0.6802863 2013
0.69208829 2014
0.71103973 2015
0.70726496 2016
0.6696993 2017
0.64964654 2018
0.67856293 2019
0.52121951 2020
0.5428734 2021
-0.80907733 2022

Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries) | 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
Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)
Records
63
Source