IDA & IBRD total | 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
IDA & IBRD total
Records
63
Source
Create chart Download showed records Download Full dataset
IDA & IBRD total | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
3.48435744 1961
3.88932321 1962
4.21911345 1963
4.18039549 1964
3.27638524 1965
3.30164802 1966
3.29899756 1967
3.30034935 1968
3.30127616 1969
3.26395344 1970
3.29271032 1971
3.33603681 1972
3.42499997 1973
3.4901418 1974
3.22688013 1975
3.35598966 1976
3.30588432 1977
3.5759174 1978
3.83792063 1979
3.83333326 1980
3.84139391 1981
3.74146529 1982
3.57034093 1983
3.55893181 1984
3.5442061 1985
3.5334949 1986
3.51031384 1987
3.45454603 1988
3.33585052 1989
3.23535658 1990
3.16078281 1991
3.04276325 1992
2.97631389 1993
2.93474344 1994
2.8761665 1995
2.82272378 1996
2.79731708 1997
2.76702991 1998
2.70998763 1999
2.67417744 2000
2.76244033 2001
2.81817973 2002
2.78577398 2003
2.76785005 2004
2.74512392 2005
2.67889699 2006
2.60028313 2007
2.62251858 2008
2.61281222 2009
2.59491926 2010
2.54142393 2011
2.51813629 2012
2.5098068 2013
2.49035349 2014
2.45661671 2015
2.40512081 2016
2.36956223 2017
2.29883762 2018
2.22916782 2019
2.13463115 2020
2.0201755 2021
1.82301002 2022
IDA & IBRD total | 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
IDA & IBRD total
Records
63
Source
Create chart Download showed records Download Full dataset