This statistic shows the ten countries with the largest decline in the size of the rural population between 2018 and 2015. Based on forecasted population figures, the rural population of China is projected to be around 305 million less in 2050 than it was in 2018.

Mauritania MR: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 38.983 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 39.554 % for 2016. Mauritania MR: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 59.834 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 93.120 % in 1960 and a record low of 38.983 % in 2017. Mauritania MR: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritania – Table MR.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2014 Revision.; Weighted average;

South Korea rural population for 2023 was 9,589,588, a 0.08% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>South Korea rural population for 2022 was <strong>9,597,146</strong>, a <strong>0.26% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>South Korea rural population for 2021 was <strong>9,621,887</strong>, a <strong>0.13% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>South Korea rural population for 2020 was <strong>9,634,283</strong>, a <strong>0.22% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

Rural population (% of total population) in United States was reported at 16.7 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Japan JP: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 8.465 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.543 % for 2016. Japan JP: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 22.849 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36.728 % in 1960 and a record low of 8.465 % in 2017. Japan JP: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

As of January 1, 2024, 109.5 million inhabitants lived in Russian cities, opposed to 36.6 million people living in the countryside. The rural population of Russia saw a gradual decrease over the observed time period.

Finland rural population for 2023 was 794,473, a 0.14% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Finland rural population for 2022 was <strong>795,579</strong>, a <strong>0.32% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Finland rural population for 2021 was <strong>798,128</strong>, a <strong>0.34% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Finland rural population for 2020 was <strong>800,844</strong>, a <strong>0.34% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

The USA: Rural population, percent of total population: The latest value from 2023 is 16.7 percent, a decline from 16.92 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 38.64 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1960 to 2023 is 23.22 percent. The minimum value, 16.7 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 30 percent was recorded in 1960.

Romania rural population for 2023 was 8,637,756, a 0.35% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Romania rural population for 2022 was <strong>8,668,484</strong>, a <strong>0.74% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Romania rural population for 2021 was <strong>8,733,236</strong>, a <strong>1.04% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Romania rural population for 2020 was <strong>8,824,640</strong>, a <strong>0.79% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

Even though rural depopulation has slowed down in Hungary and an increasing number of people choose to move to villages, some settlements still recorded a considerable decrease in the number of inhabitants. One of these villages is Lasztonya, located in south-west Hungary, that lost over 40 percent of its population over the past five years.

Rural population (% of total population) in Portugal was reported at 32.09 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Portugal - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Vietnam rural population for 2023 was 59,829,437, a 0.49% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Vietnam rural population for 2022 was <strong>60,123,739</strong>, a <strong>0.42% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Vietnam rural population for 2021 was <strong>60,379,495</strong>, a <strong>0.3% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Vietnam rural population for 2020 was <strong>60,560,066</strong>, a <strong>0.22% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

Mexico: Rural population, percent of total population: The latest value from 2023 is 18.42 percent, a decline from 18.7 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 38.64 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Mexico from 1960 to 2023 is 30.26 percent. The minimum value, 18.42 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 49.25 percent was recorded in 1960.

U.S. rural population for 2023 was 55,937,486, a 0.78% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>U.S. rural population for 2022 was <strong>56,376,192</strong>, a <strong>0.87% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>U.S. rural population for 2021 was <strong>56,870,028</strong>, a <strong>1.05% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>U.S. rural population for 2020 was <strong>57,473,509</strong>, a <strong>0.21% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

United States US: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 17.942 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 18.138 % for 2016. United States US: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 24.985 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.004 % in 1960 and a record low of 17.942 % in 2017. United States US: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Romania: Rural population, percent of total population: The latest value from 2023 is 45.33 percent, a decline from 45.51 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 38.64 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Romania from 1960 to 2023 is 51.3 percent. The minimum value, 45.33 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 65.79 percent was recorded in 1960.

In 2023, the share of people living in rural areas in Africa dropped to nearly 55 percent. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the share of the rural population in the total population has followed a declining trend. On the other hand, during the same period, the urbanization rate on the continent rose, although it remained below 50 percent.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Rural Valley population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Rural Valley across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of Rural Valley was 809, a 1.10% decrease year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, Rural Valley population was 818, a decline of 0.97% compared to a population of 826 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Rural Valley decreased by 197. In this period, the peak population was 1,006 in the year 2000. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the Rural Valley is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Rural Valley population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Rural Valley Population by Year. You can refer the same here

Colombia: Rural population, percent of total population: The latest value from 2023 is 17.65 percent, a decline from 17.95 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 38.64 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Colombia from 1960 to 2023 is 31.58 percent. The minimum value, 17.65 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 53.73 percent was recorded in 1960.

In 2023, the share of rural population in Poland remained nearly unchanged at around 39.78 percent. Still, 2023 marked the third consecutive decline of the share. Rural population is calculated as the difference between the total population and urban population. National statistical offices may have their own definition of people living in rural areas.