IBRD only | 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
IBRD only
Records
63
Source
Create chart Download showed records Download Full dataset
IBRD only | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
3.35282168 1961
3.80519869 1962
4.15980312 1963
4.10887036 1964
3.09783953 1965
3.12574081 1966
3.10540658 1967
3.09862876 1968
3.09401024 1969
3.06044157 1970
3.08484291 1971
3.12933464 1972
3.21204481 1973
3.28109055 1974
3.20255229 1975
3.1157848 1976
3.05847607 1977
3.34513017 1978
3.65440753 1979
3.63468653 1980
3.66776469 1981
3.62761269 1982
3.4212317 1983
3.39936361 1984
3.36727486 1985
3.35592783 1986
3.33369178 1987
3.27969277 1988
3.15334723 1989
3.04471221 1990
3.01281277 1991
2.88344963 1992
2.80045684 1993
2.75777757 1994
2.70389915 1995
2.66105626 1996
2.63475313 1997
2.60121558 1998
2.53924109 1999
2.48779768 2000
2.54935367 2001
2.60795473 2002
2.57826745 2003
2.56604257 2004
2.53714498 2005
2.45029634 2006
2.36835399 2007
2.37577638 2008
2.36654049 2009
2.32549621 2010
2.28195201 2011
2.29052219 2012
2.3085266 2013
2.28855921 2014
2.22330971 2015
2.14433197 2016
2.0879828 2017
1.99140157 2018
1.8947706 2019
1.76876486 2020
1.62471318 2021
1.37660123 2022
IBRD only | 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
IBRD only
Records
63
Source
Create chart Download showed records Download Full dataset