European Union | 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
European Union
Records
63
Source
European Union | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
1961 1.76315136
1962 1.76073436
1963 1.85355391
1964 1.8574968
1965 1.82246581
1966 1.749137
1967 1.66049798
1968 1.54430255
1969 1.42620714
1970 1.26897106
1971 1.24800492
1972 1.31965961
1973 1.25503241
1974 1.19392643
1975 1.10174742
1976 0.99976754
1977 0.98526367
1978 0.9764269
1979 0.93807564
1980 0.92462079
1981 0.82913291
1982 0.62989887
1983 0.50363987
1984 0.42285215
1985 0.41697751
1986 0.49324348
1987 0.59536367
1988 0.61790986
1989 0.55851469
1990 0.57603049
1991 0.61987286
1992 0.51730907
1993 0.51193446
1994 0.45102793
1995 0.39085226
1996 0.36294118
1997 0.34250202
1998 0.32121211
1999 0.35901322
2000 0.34080413
2001 0.39592885
2002 0.55185944
2003 0.66986408
2004 0.68247402
2005 0.66119457
2006 0.62705871
2007 0.64189434
2008 0.62431917
2009 0.5247737
2010 0.42758296
2011 0.09036704
2012 0.40592855
2013 0.49321161
2014 0.49290708
2015 0.47707278
2016 0.47956273
2017 0.43062627
2018 0.45911648
2019 0.37969655
2020 0.36976069
2021 0.19946776
2022 0.40093264

European Union | 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
European Union
Records
63
Source