This statistic shows the twenty countries with the largest urban populations worldwide in 2018. In 2018, the urban population of China was around *** million people.

This comprehensive dataset, derived from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects 2018, provides detailed insights into the global demographic shifts from 1950 to 2050. It covers a wide range of data points including total, urban, and rural populations, alongside growth rates and urbanization trends across different regions, subregions, and countries.

Dataset Files WUP2018-F01-Total_Urban_Rural.xls: Population counts for urban and rural areas as of mid-2018, including percentages. WUP2018-F02-Proportion_Urban.xls: Historical and projected percentages of urban populations from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F03-Urban_Population.xls: Urban population figures from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F04-Rural_Population.xls: Rural population figures from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F05-Total_Population.xls: Total population figures from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F06-Urban_Growth_Rate.xls: Annual urban population growth rates from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F07-Rural_Growth_Rate.xls: Annual rural population growth rates from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F08-Total_Growth_Rate.xls: Total population growth rates from 1950 to 2000. WUP2018-F09-Urbanization_Rate.xls: Changes in the rate of urbanization from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F10-Rate_Proportion_Rural.xls: Changes in the proportion of rural populations from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F18-Total_Population_Annual.xls: Detailed annual total population data from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F19-Urban_Population_Annual.xls: Detailed annual urban population data from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F20-Rural_Population_Annual.xls: Detailed annual rural population data from 1950 to 2050. WUP2018-F21-Proportion_Urban_Annual.xls: Detailed annual urban population percentages from 1950 to 2050. Potential Uses This dataset is invaluable for researchers, policy makers, urban planners, and sociologists interested in understanding the dynamics of urbanization and its impacts on global development. The data can be used for:

Analyzing trends in urban and rural growth. Forecasting future demographic shifts. Planning for infrastructure, services, and resources in rapidly urbanizing regions. Studying regional differences in development and urbanization.

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;

In 2025, the degree of urbanization worldwide was at 58 percent. North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean were the regions with the highest level of urbanization, with over four-fifths of the population residing in urban areas. The degree of urbanization defines the share of the population living in areas defined as "cities". On the other hand, less than half of Africa's population lives in urban settlements. Globally, China accounts for over one-quarter of the built-up areas of more than 500,000 inhabitants. The definition of a city differs across various world regions - some countries count settlements with 100 houses or more as urban, while others only include the capital of a country or provincial capitals in their count. Largest agglomerations worldwideThough North America is the most urbanized continent, no U.S. city was among the top ten urban agglomerations worldwide in 2023. Tokyo-Yokohama in Japan was the largest urban area in the world that year, with 37.7 million inhabitants. New York ranked 13th, with 21.4 million inhabitants. Eight of the 10 most populous cities are located in Asia. ConnectivityIt may be hard to imagine how the reality will look in 2050, with 70 percent of the global population living in cities, but some statistics illustrate the ways urban living differs from suburban and rural living. American urbanites may lead more “connected” (i.e., internet-connected) lives than their rural and/or suburban counterparts. As of 2021, around 89 percent of people living in urban areas owned a smartphone. Internet usage was also higher in cities than in rural areas. On the other hand, rural areas always have, and always will, attract those who want to escape the rush of the city.

United States US: Urban Population data was reported at 267,278,643.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 264,746,567.000 Person for 2016. United States US: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 184,283,180.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 267,278,643.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 126,462,473.000 Person in 1960. United States US: Urban 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. 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;

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.

Belgium BE: Urban Population data was reported at 11,573,953.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 11,464,477.000 Person for 2022. Belgium BE: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 9,674,111.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,573,953.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 8,463,316.000 Person in 1960. Belgium BE: 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. 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;

SummaryThis metadata record provides details of the data supporting the claims of the related manuscript: “Projecting future populations of urban agglomerations: around the world and through the 21st century ”.The data consist of HTML files with interactive maps for future populations projections of urban agglomerations, and HTML file displaying figures for postdictions of urban agglomerations, as well as 5 .csv files containing the raw data.The related study estimated population trends throughout the 21st century for approximately 20,000 urban agglomerations in 151 countries by working within the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) and using a simple urban growth model.Data accessThe following resources, which were among the sources of the data analyzed in the related study, are available from the links below.- Postdiction results for 1794 urban agglomerations http://stwww.eng.kagawa-u.ac.jp/~kii/Research/UPP_2020/UPP_2020.html#postdiction-for-1794-agglomerations-link- Temporal evolution from 2010 to 2100 of the geographical distribution of urban agglomerations, arranged by population scale, as predicted within the various SSP scenarios http://stwww.eng.kagawa-u.ac.jp/~kii/Research/UPP_2020/UPP_2020.htmlThese data are also available in raw .csv form via the 'Raw data' link on the same page, and also in the 5 files included as part of this data record.- Available urban-population data include the UN’s World Urbanization Prospects 2018 (https://population.un.org/wup/) and Gridded Population of the World, v4 (https://doi.org/10.7927/H4BC3WMT). Available settlement-point data include, in addition to the above urban population sources, World Gazetteer (https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=346ce13fa2d4468a9049f71bcc250f37) and GeoNames (https://www.geonames.org/). GDP per capita data is available from OECD.stat (https://stats.oecd.org/), Global Metro Monitor (https://www.brookings.edu/research/global-metro-monitor/), and World Development Indicators (http://datatopics.worldbank.org/world-development-indicators/). OpenStreetMap is available at https://www.openstreetmap.org/. Scenario data for SSPs are available at the IIASA-SSP database (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2016.05.009). CodeCode used for the analysis can be downloaded from the author's lab's website: http://stwww.eng.kagawa-u.ac.jp/~kii/Research/UPP_2020/UPP_2020.html#codes. These are written in R. They are provided only for the purpose of tracing the analytical procedure. They are not executable without appropriate datasets.

Germany DE: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 77.765 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 77.648 % for 2022. Germany DE: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 73.315 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.765 % in 2023 and a record low of 71.384 % in 1960. Germany DE: 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 Germany – Table DE.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;

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;

Argentina AR: Urban Population data was reported at 42,106,172.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 41,932,837.000 Person for 2022. Argentina AR: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 29,257,669.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 42,106,172.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 15,006,372.000 Person in 1960. Argentina AR: Urban Population 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. 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;

Germany DE: Urban Population Growth data was reported at -0.469 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.855 % for 2022. Germany DE: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.367 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.207 % in 1961 and a record low of -1.602 % in 2011. Germany DE: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.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;

Ecuador EC: Urban Population data was reported at 10,585,047.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,410,089.000 Person for 2016. Ecuador EC: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 5,317,225.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,585,047.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 1,539,941.000 Person in 1960. Ecuador EC: Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.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;

United States US: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 82.058 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 81.862 % for 2016. United States US: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 75.016 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 82.058 % in 2017 and a record low of 69.996 % in 1960. United States US: 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 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. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Bolivia BO: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 1.875 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.667 % for 2022. Bolivia BO: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 2.864 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.616 % in 1978 and a record low of 1.520 % in 2021. Bolivia BO: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bolivia – Table BO.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;

Monaco MC: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 0.064 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.043 % for 2022. Monaco MC: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.977 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.439 % in 2010 and a record low of -0.689 % in 2007. Monaco MC: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Monaco – Table MC.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;

Iran IR: Urban Population data was reported at 60,380,245.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 59,308,964.000 Person for 2016. Iran IR: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 29,945,168.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60,380,245.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 7,390,294.000 Person in 1960. Iran IR: Urban 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. 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;

Ecuador EC: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 1.667 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.694 % for 2016. Ecuador EC: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 3.876 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.907 % in 1975 and a record low of 1.667 % in 2017. Ecuador EC: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ecuador – Table EC.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;

France FR: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 0.715 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.728 % for 2016. France FR: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.808 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.304 % in 1963 and a record low of 0.313 % in 1991. France FR: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.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;

Iran IR: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 1.790 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.858 % for 2016. Iran IR: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 4.296 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.558 % in 1983 and a record low of 1.790 % in 2017. Iran IR: Urban Population Growth 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. 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;