The global urban population overtook the rural population in numbers in 2007. Today, 4.5 billion people live in urban areas, compared to 3.4 million in rural areas. This development underlines that rapid urbanization the world has seen in recent decades.
Global urban and rural population worldwide from 1990 to 2022
(in billions)
Characteristic
Rural population
Urban population
1990
3.02
2.28
1991
3.05
2.33
1992
3.08
2.39
1993
3.11
2.45
1994
3.13
2.51
1995
3.16
2.57
1996
3.19
2.62
1997
3.21
2.68
1998
3.23
2.74
1999
3.26
2.8
2000
3.28
2.87
2001
3.29
2.93
2002
3.31
3
2003
3.32
3.07
2004
3.33
3.14
2005
3.34
3.22
2006
3.34
3.29
2007
3.35
3.36
2008
3.36
3.44
2009
3.37
3.52
2010
3.37
3.59
2011
3.38
3.67
2012
3.39
3.75
2013
3.4
3.82
2014
3.41
3.9
2015
3.42
3.98
2016
3.42
4.07
2017
3.43
4.15
2018
3.43
4.23
2019
3.43
4.31
2020
3.44
4.38
2021
3.43
4.45
2022
3.43
4.52
Zoomable Statistic: Select the range in the chart you want to zoom in on.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
World Bank. (March 28, 2024). Global urban and rural population worldwide from 1990 to 2022 (in billions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/267838/global-urban-and-rural-population/
World Bank. "Global urban and rural population worldwide from 1990 to 2022 (in billions)." Chart. March 28, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/267838/global-urban-and-rural-population/
World Bank. (2024). Global urban and rural population worldwide from 1990 to 2022 (in billions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/267838/global-urban-and-rural-population/
World Bank. "Global Urban and Rural Population Worldwide from 1990 to 2022 (in Billions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267838/global-urban-and-rural-population/
World Bank, Global urban and rural population worldwide from 1990 to 2022 (in billions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267838/global-urban-and-rural-population/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Global urban and rural population worldwide from 1990 to 2022 (in billions) [Graph], World Bank, March 28, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/267838/global-urban-and-rural-population/
