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.
Percentage of population living in urban areas worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by regional development
Characteristic
World
More developed regions
Less developed regions
1950
29.6%
54.8%
17.7%
1970
36.6%
66.8%
25.3%
1990
43%
72.4%
34.9%
2015
53.9%
78.1%
49%
2030*
60.4%
80.2%
54.3%
2050*
68.4%
86.6%
65.6%
0%20%40%60%80%100%
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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). (May 16, 2018). Percentage of population living in urban areas worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by regional development [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/671366/change-in-urbanization-of-countries-worldwide-by-regional-development/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). "Percentage of population living in urban areas worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by regional development." Chart. May 16, 2018. Statista. Accessed April 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/671366/change-in-urbanization-of-countries-worldwide-by-regional-development/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). (2018). Percentage of population living in urban areas worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by regional development. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/671366/change-in-urbanization-of-countries-worldwide-by-regional-development/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). "Percentage of Population Living in Urban Areas Worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by Regional Development." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 May 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/671366/change-in-urbanization-of-countries-worldwide-by-regional-development/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), Percentage of population living in urban areas worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by regional development Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/671366/change-in-urbanization-of-countries-worldwide-by-regional-development/ (last visited April 16, 2025)
Percentage of population living in urban areas worldwide from 1950 to 2050, by regional development [Graph], United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), May 16, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/671366/change-in-urbanization-of-countries-worldwide-by-regional-development/
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