Population living in slums 2025

In 2025, South Sudan leads the world with the highest Population living in slums at 94.2%, while the global range spans from -4.72% to 94.20%. The global average percentage of populations living in slums is 21.25%, providing a critical context for understanding urban poverty and living conditions worldwide.

Economic and Political Drivers of High Slum Populations

The prevalence of slum populations in countries like South Sudan (94.2%), Mali (85.54%), and Chad (81.07%) can often be attributed to a combination of economic instability and political challenges. These nations frequently experience ongoing conflicts and economic hardships, which severely limit their ability to provide adequate housing and infrastructure. For instance, the ongoing civil unrest in South Sudan has displaced millions, exacerbating urban poverty and leading to high slum percentages.

Moreover, countries like Afghanistan (73.74%) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (79.63%) face similar issues where prolonged conflict and weak governance hinder urban development. These conditions make it difficult to implement effective housing policies, leading to a significant portion of the population living in informal settlements.

Geographic and Environmental Influences

Geographic and environmental factors also play a role in the distribution of slum populations. In Burkina Faso (72.84%) and Sao Tome and Principe (78.42%), rapid urbanization without corresponding infrastructure development contributes to the expansion of slum areas. These countries often face geographical constraints, such as limited arable land and susceptibility to natural disasters, which can force populations into densely packed urban areas lacking proper sanitation and housing.

Similarly, Niger (70.44%) and Sudan (71.18%) experience harsh environmental conditions that drive rural populations into urban centers, where they encounter inadequate urban planning and insufficient housing options.

Understanding the Anomalous Negative Values

The data reveals some intriguing negative values for slum populations in countries like Kyrgyzstan (-4.72%) and Kazakhstan (-1.50%). These anomalies may reflect data reporting inconsistencies or methodological issues in capturing slum statistics rather than actual reductions to below zero percentages. Nevertheless, these figures highlight the importance of robust data collection and analysis methods in understanding the true scope of urban poverty.

In regions like Bosnia and Herzegovina (-1.35%) and Albania (-1.29%), historical shifts from centrally planned economies to more market-oriented systems might explain improved urban living conditions, yet the negative values warrant further investigation into data accuracy and reporting standards.

Year-over-Year Movements and Emerging Trends

The year-over-year data for 2025 shows significant movements, with Jordan experiencing the largest increase of 5.25% in slum populations, reaching 70.65%. This increase may be linked to the influx of refugees and economic migrants, straining urban infrastructure and housing availability. Similarly, Mali saw a rise of 4.25% to 85.54%, reflecting ongoing challenges in urban management and economic development.

Conversely, countries like Malawi saw a decrease of 2.06% in slum populations, potentially due to targeted interventions and international aid aimed at improving urban infrastructure and housing. This trend suggests that sustained policy efforts can lead to measurable improvements in living conditions, although progress remains slow and uneven.

Overall, the 2025 statistics on the Population living in slums underscore the complex interplay of economic, political, and environmental factors that drive urban poverty. The data highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address housing shortages and improve living conditions, particularly in the world's most vulnerable regions.