Urbanization

Statistics report on urbanization

Urbanization

This report presents a range of statistics relating to urbanization. As agricultural and industrial revolutions have swept across the globe over the past 250 years, urbanization has increased as people move from the countryside to cities and towns in search of employment, education, and other opportunities. In 2007, the world's urban population grew larger than the rural population, and this difference is set to grow in the coming years. This report includes chapters that cover the state of urbanization today, historical trends, future projections, and some statistics relating to the challenges faced by urban areas.

Table of contents

Urbanization today

9
  • Basic Statistic Degree of urbanization 2023, by continent
  • Basic Statistic Global megacity populations 2023
  • Premium Statistic Countries with the lowest rural population rates worldwide 2022
  • Premium Statistic Countries with the highest rural population rates worldwide 2022
  • Premium Statistic Distribution of urban areas globally 2023, by continent
  • Premium Statistic Share of urban areas globally 2023, by country
  • Premium Statistic Largest megacities worldwide 2023, by land area
  • Premium Statistic Cities with the highest population density globally 2023
  • Basic Statistic Global population density by region 2021

Historical development

15
  • Basic Statistic Share of the world's population living in urban or rural areas 1960-2023
  • Basic Statistic Urbanization: largest cities throughout history 7000BCE-2022
  • Basic Statistic Urbanization rates in China, Japan, and Western Europe in selected years 1000-2020
  • Basic Statistic Estimates of Europe's urbanization rate 1300-1850
  • Basic Statistic Western Europe: urbanization rate by country 1500-1890
  • Basic Statistic Urbanization in the United States 1790 to 2050
  • Basic Statistic Urbanization rates various countries or regions 1800
  • Basic Statistic Urbanization rates in various countries or regions of Europe 1800
  • Basic Statistic Urbanization in select European countries 1913-1990
  • Basic Statistic Change in the rural population of Eastern Europe 1950-1973, by country
  • Basic Statistic Change in urbanization worldwide, by region 1950-2050
  • Basic Statistic Urbanization rate of the population worldwide, by regional development 1950-2050
  • Premium Statistic Urbanization rate of the worldwide, by development status 1950-2050
  • Premium Statistic Historical population of global megacities 1950-2020
  • Basic Statistic Change in urbanization worldwide, by urban area size 1975-2035

Future urbanization

6
  • Premium Statistic Countries with the largest projected urban population in 2050
  • Premium Statistic Countries with the largest projected rural population in 2050
  • Premium Statistic Countries with largest increase in urban population until 2050
  • Premium Statistic Top 10 countries with projected decline in rural population by 2050
  • Basic Statistic Top 10 most populous megacities worldwide in 2030
  • Premium Statistic Global megacity population projection 2035

Challenges

7
  • Premium Statistic Urban population living in slums worldwide 2000-2020, by region
  • Basic Statistic Global urban and rural drinking water coverage 2022, by water source
  • Premium Statistic Most congested city centers in the world 2023
  • Premium Statistic Pollution index score of megacities APAC 2023, by city
  • Premium Statistic Climate risks in cities globally between 2020-2050
  • Premium Statistic Urban passenger mobility demand worldwide 2050
  • Premium Statistic Global waste generation per person outlook 2050, by region

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