Middle East & North Africa (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
Middle East & North Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
Records
63
Source
Middle East & North Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
4.6960764 1961
4.70132016 1962
4.73034759 1963
4.7413986 1964
4.81027789 1965
4.67600595 1966
4.46104024 1967
4.48363123 1968
4.45078176 1969
4.41561481 1970
4.29121637 1971
4.27326285 1972
4.26865482 1973
4.23187797 1974
4.36935842 1975
4.79768593 1976
4.59020769 1977
3.82343438 1978
3.85725309 1979
4.29246025 1980
4.67467564 1981
4.61023698 1982
4.28715705 1983
4.32488852 1984
4.16824485 1985
4.1197214 1986
3.90914108 1987
3.56801656 1988
3.45653181 1989
3.5414068 1990
3.45267716 1991
3.28538668 1992
2.99026403 1993
2.86169899 1994
2.78871465 1995
2.65789207 1996
2.63923936 1997
2.67554176 1998
2.65933218 1999
2.66440207 2000
2.6537489 2001
2.44238519 2002
2.4005746 2003
2.57679171 2004
2.65051153 2005
2.60767843 2006
2.50518449 2007
2.49597297 2008
2.53185788 2009
2.55787168 2010
2.25475326 2011
2.22162595 2012
2.53870858 2013
2.70084815 2014
2.6833531 2015
2.3852576 2016
2.20828166 2017
2.22311729 2018
2.21033848 2019
2.10202179 2020
2.01152837 2021
1.98968527 2022
Middle East & North Africa (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
Middle East & North Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
Records
63
Source