It is estimated that Europe had an urbanization rate of approximately 8.5 percent in the year 1800. The Netherlands and Belgium were some of the most heavily urbanized regions, due the growth of port cities such as Rotterdam and Antwerp during Netherlands' empirical expansion, and the legacy of urbanization in the region, which stems from its wool and craft industries in medieval times. Additionally, the decline of their agricultural sectors and smaller territories contributed to a lower rural population. Scotland and England had also become more urban throughout the British Empire's growth, although the agricultural revolution of the previous two centuries, along with the first industrial revolution, then led to more rapid urbanization during the 19th century. In contrast, there was a large imbalance between the east and west of the continent; the two largest empires, Austria and Russia, had the lowest levels of urbanization in Europe in 1800, due to their vast territories, lower maritime presence, and lack of industrial development.
Share of the population living in towns of more than 10,000 people in selected European countries or regions in the year 1800
*Average figures for Eastern Europe and Europe are from the table on page 242 of the same source, or on this statistic. The figure for Western Europe can be found here.
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Brill. (December 1, 2009). Share of the population living in towns of more than 10,000 people in selected European countries or regions in the year 1800 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1304739/urbanization-europe-1800/
Brill. "Share of the population living in towns of more than 10,000 people in selected European countries or regions in the year 1800." Chart. December 1, 2009. Statista. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1304739/urbanization-europe-1800/
Brill. (2009). Share of the population living in towns of more than 10,000 people in selected European countries or regions in the year 1800. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1304739/urbanization-europe-1800/
Brill. "Share of The Population Living in Towns of More than 10,000 People in Selected European Countries or Regions in The Year 1800." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Dec 2009, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1304739/urbanization-europe-1800/
Brill, Share of the population living in towns of more than 10,000 people in selected European countries or regions in the year 1800 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1304739/urbanization-europe-1800/ (last visited October 31, 2024)
Share of the population living in towns of more than 10,000 people in selected European countries or regions in the year 1800 [Graph], Brill, December 1, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1304739/urbanization-europe-1800/