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