This statistic shows the percentage of the total population living in urban areas worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by regional development level. By 2050, more developed regions of the world will have 86.6 percent of their populations living in urban areas.

In 2020, about 82.66 percent of the total population in the United States lived in cities and urban areas. As the United States was one of the earliest nations to industrialize, it has had a comparatively high rate of urbanization over the past two centuries. The urban population became larger than the rural population during the 1910s, and by the middle of the century it is expected that almost 90 percent of the population will live in an urban setting. Regional development of urbanization in the U.S. The United States began to urbanize on a larger scale in the 1830s, as technological advancements reduced the labor demand in agriculture, and as European migration began to rise. One major difference between early urbanization in the U.S. and other industrializing economies, such as the UK or Germany, was population distribution. Throughout the 1800s, the Northeastern U.S. became the most industrious and urban region of the country, as this was the main point of arrival for migrants. Disparities in industrialization and urbanization was a key contributor to the Union's victory in the Civil War, not only due to population sizes, but also through production capabilities and transport infrastructure. The Northeast's population reached an urban majority in the 1870s, whereas this did not occur in the South until the 1950s. As more people moved westward in the late 1800s, not only did their population growth increase, but the share of the urban population also rose, with an urban majority established in both the West and Midwest regions in the 1910s. The West would eventually become the most urbanized region in the 1960s, and over 90 percent of the West's population is urbanized today. Urbanization today New York City is the most populous city in the United States, with a population of 8.3 million, while California has the largest urban population of any state. California also has the highest urbanization rate, although the District of Columbia is considered 100 percent urban. Only four U.S. states still have a rural majority, these are Maine, Mississippi, Montana, and West Virginia.

Urban population (% of total population) in France was reported at 82.04 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. France - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

United States US: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 0.952 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.968 % for 2016. United States US: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.152 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.449 % in 1960 and a record low of 0.927 % in 1974. United States US: Urban Population Growth 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. 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.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Urban population (% of total population) in Japan was reported at 92.13 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Chad TD: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 24.366 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 24.063 % for 2022. Chad TD: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 21.129 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24.366 % in 2023 and a record low of 6.695 % in 1960. Chad TD: Urban Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Chad – Table TD.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.;United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

Urban population growth (annual %) in United States was reported at 1.2366 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Urban population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Iran IR: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 74.394 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 73.880 % for 2016. Iran IR: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 55.525 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.394 % in 2017 and a record low of 33.735 % in 1960. Iran IR: Urban Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iran – Table IR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

The average for 2024 based on 24 countries was 63.16 percent. The highest value was in Bermuda: 100 percent and the lowest value was in Saint Lucia: 19.31 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This report analyses the percentage of the UK population living in urban areas. The data is sourced from the World Bank in addition to estimates by IBISWorld. The figures are calculated from the United Nations Population Division World Urbanization Prospects, in addition to IBISWorld estimates. Figures are for mid-year and taken as financial years (i.e., 2019 = 2019-20).

Argentina AR: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 0.413 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.339 % for 2022. Argentina AR: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.629 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.475 % in 1961 and a record low of 0.339 % in 2022. Argentina AR: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Argentina – Table AR.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. 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.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

Africa: Urban population (% of total population)

  Dataset summary

This dataset provides values for "Urban population (% of total population)" across African countries, standardized and made ML-ready. Geographic scope: 54 African countries. Temporal coverage: 1960–2024 (annual). Units: As defined by the World Bank indicator.

  Source & licensing

Source: World Bank – World Development Indicators (WDI), Indicator code: SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. License: World Bank Open… See the full description on the dataset page: https://huggingface.co/datasets/electricsheepafrica/Urban-population-as-percentage-of-total-population.

The share of urban population in France stood at 81.78 percent in 2023. In a steady upward trend, the share rose by 19.9 percentage points from 1960.

Argentina: Percent urban population: The latest value from 2024 is 92.58 percent, an increase from 92.46 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 61.70 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Argentina from 1960 to 2024 is 85.72 percent. The minimum value, 73.61 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 92.58 percent was recorded in 2024.

Colombia CO: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 82.354 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 82.050 % for 2022. Colombia CO: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 70.182 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 82.354 % in 2023 and a record low of 46.268 % in 1960. Colombia CO: Urban Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.;United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

Eritrea ER: Urban Population data was reported at 1,600,641.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,544,478.000 Person for 2010. Eritrea ER: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 448,855.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2011, with 52 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,600,641.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 136,940.000 Person in 1960. Eritrea ER: Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Eritrea – Table ER.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. 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. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

Burundi BI: Urban Population data was reported at 2,023,848.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,920,503.000 Person for 2022. Burundi BI: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 377,757.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,023,848.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 57,414.000 Person in 1960. Burundi BI: Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Burundi – Table BI.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. 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. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Sum;

Uruguay: Percent urban population: The latest value from 2024 is 95.85 percent, an increase from 95.77 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 61.70 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Uruguay from 1960 to 2024 is 88.94 percent. The minimum value, 80.24 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 95.85 percent was recorded in 2024.

The average for 2024 based on 20 countries was 76.97 percent. The highest value was in Uruguay: 95.85 percent and the lowest value was in Guatemala: 53.54 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Belgium BE: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 18.381 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 18.334 % for 2023. Belgium BE: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 17.684 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2024, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.435 % in 2021 and a record low of 17.224 % in 1967. Belgium BE: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.;United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.;Weighted average;