Urban Population Annual Growth Rate 2005

Urban population annual growth rate measures the year-over-year percentage increase in a country's urban population.

216 data points••Global Coverage•Urban population growth (annual %) - World Bank Open Data•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Kenya flag
Kenya
10.113 %
2
Nepal flag
Nepal
10.068 %
3
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
9.053 %
4
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
8.386 %
5
Uganda flag
Uganda
7.905 %
6
Qatar flag
Qatar
6.779 %
7
Burundi flag
Burundi
6.61 %
8
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
6.278 %
9
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
6.091 %
10
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
5.523 %
11
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
5.489 %
12
Liberia flag
Liberia
5.377 %
13
Angola flag
Angola
5.367 %
14
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
5.329 %
15
Maldives flag
Maldives
5.289 %
16
Mali flag
Mali
5.277 %
17
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
5.092 %
18
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
5.087 %
19
Somalia flag
Somalia
4.907 %
20
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
4.704 %
21
Zambia flag
Zambia
4.634 %
22
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
4.607 %
23
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
4.521 %
24
Yemen flag
Yemen
4.499 %
25
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
4.467 %
26
Thailand flag
Thailand
4.45 %
27
Laos flag
Laos
4.425 %
28
Gambia flag
Gambia
4.422 %
29
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
4.414 %
30
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
4.38 %
31
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
4.378 %
32
Benin flag
Benin
4.361 %
33
Congo flag
Congo
4.241 %
34
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
4.227 %
35
Namibia flag
Namibia
4.169 %
36
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
4.152 %
37
Ghana flag
Ghana
4.1 %
38
Chad flag
Chad
4.096 %
39
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
4.051 %
40
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
4.021 %
41
Botswana flag
Botswana
3.861 %
42
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
3.837 %
43
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
3.835 %
44
Gabon flag
Gabon
3.743 %
45
Togo flag
Togo
3.741 %
46
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
3.697 %
47
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
3.693 %
48
Honduras flag
Honduras
3.673 %
49
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
3.67 %
50
Niger flag
Niger
3.63 %
51
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
3.619 %
52
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
3.595 %
53
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
3.585 %
54
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
3.505 %
55
China flag
China
3.491 %
56
Andorra flag
Andorra
3.461 %
57
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
3.375 %
58
Haiti flag
Haiti
3.359 %
59
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
3.333 %
60
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
3.312 %
61
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
3.239 %
62
Iraq flag
Iraq
3.214 %
63
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
3.171 %
64
Malawi flag
Malawi
3.16 %
65
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
3.135 %
66
Iran flag
Iran
3.122 %
67
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
3.117 %
68
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
3.113 %
69
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
3.046 %
70
Philippines flag
Philippines
3.025 %
71
Senegal flag
Senegal
3.012 %
72
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
3.006 %
73
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
2.921 %
74
Guinea flag
Guinea
2.909 %
75
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
2.878 %
76
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
2.816 %
77
India flag
India
2.744 %
78
Oman flag
Oman
2.7 %
79
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
2.691 %
80
Algeria flag
Algeria
2.66 %
81
Ireland flag
Ireland
2.657 %
82
Jordan flag
Jordan
2.597 %
83
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
2.573 %
84
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
2.512 %
85
Turkey flag
Turkey
2.486 %
86
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
2.48 %
87
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
2.462 %
88
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
2.408 %
89
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
2.4 %
90
Aruba flag
Aruba
2.39 %
91
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
2.384 %
92
Panama flag
Panama
2.381 %
93
Singapore flag
Singapore
2.351 %
94
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
2.349 %
95
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
2.33 %
96
Sudan flag
Sudan
2.328 %
97
Belize flag
Belize
2.287 %
98
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
2.256 %
99
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
2.251 %
100
Comoros flag
Comoros
2.245 %
101
South Africa flag
South Africa
2.234 %
102
Libya flag
Libya
2.218 %
103
Morocco flag
Morocco
2.179 %
104
Egypt flag
Egypt
2.095 %
105
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
2.092 %
106
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
2.057 %
107
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
2.04 %
108
Spain flag
Spain
2.034 %
109
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
1.987 %
110
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
1.957 %
111
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
1.955 %
112
Japan flag
Japan
1.872 %
113
Israel flag
Israel
1.824 %
114
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
1.747 %
115
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
1.737 %
116
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
1.736 %
117
San Marino flag
San Marino
1.732 %
118
Albania flag
Albania
1.72 %
119
Colombia flag
Colombia
1.66 %
120
Fiji flag
Fiji
1.647 %
121
Portugal flag
Portugal
1.617 %
122
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
1.587 %
123
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
1.551 %
124
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
1.548 %
125
Mexico flag
Mexico
1.542 %
126
Iceland flag
Iceland
1.517 %
127
Hungary flag
Hungary
1.484 %
128
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
1.481 %
129
Peru flag
Peru
1.479 %
130
Palau flag
Palau
1.461 %
131
Brazil flag
Brazil
1.461 %
132
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
1.442 %
133
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
1.435 %
134
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
1.366 %
135
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
1.364 %
136
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
1.346 %
137
Australia flag
Australia
1.335 %
138
Canada flag
Canada
1.303 %
139
Argentina flag
Argentina
1.231 %
140
United States flag
United States
1.171 %
141
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
1.162 %
142
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
1.151 %
143
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
1.121 %
144
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
1.092 %
145
Chile flag
Chile
1.042 %
146
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
1.028 %
147
Suriname flag
Suriname
1.026 %
148
Norway flag
Norway
1.013 %
149
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
1.009 %
150
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
0.943 %
151
Belgium flag
Belgium
0.909 %
152
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
0.894 %
153
Greece flag
Greece
0.881 %
154
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
0.815 %
155
Malta flag
Malta
0.734 %
156
Austria flag
Austria
0.717 %
157
North Korea flag
North Korea
0.708 %
158
Italy flag
Italy
0.706 %
159
Finland flag
Finland
0.689 %
160
Tonga flag
Tonga
0.689 %
161
France flag
France
0.683 %
162
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
0.666 %
163
Denmark flag
Denmark
0.617 %
164
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
0.592 %
165
South Korea flag
South Korea
0.564 %
166
Dominica flag
Dominica
0.537 %
167
Sweden flag
Sweden
0.498 %
168
Guam flag
Guam
0.46 %
169
Serbia flag
Serbia
0.458 %
170
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
0.455 %
171
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
0.437 %
172
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
0.385 %
173
Grenada flag
Grenada
0.369 %
174
Cuba flag
Cuba
0.324 %
175
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
0.296 %
176
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
0.249 %
177
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
0.245 %
178
Greenland flag
Greenland
0.219 %
179
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
0.204 %
180
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
0.145 %
181
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
0.107 %
182
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
0.055 %
183
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
0.048 %
184
Croatia flag
Croatia
0.024 %
185
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
-0.011 %
186
Germany flag
Germany
-0.032 %
187
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-0.086 %
188
Georgia flag
Georgia
-0.094 %
189
Nauru flag
Nauru
-0.109 %
190
Kosovo flag
Kosovo
-0.148 %
191
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
-0.195 %
192
Poland flag
Poland
-0.216 %
193
Barbados flag
Barbados
-0.235 %
194
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
-0.247 %
195
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
-0.288 %
196
Monaco flag
Monaco
-0.301 %
197
Belarus flag
Belarus
-0.314 %
198
Romania flag
Romania
-0.321 %
199
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-0.355 %
200
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
-0.435 %
201
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
-0.461 %
202
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
-0.505 %
203
Estonia flag
Estonia
-0.512 %
204
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
-0.514 %
205
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
-0.525 %
206
Russia flag
Russia
-0.58 %
207
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
-0.646 %
208
Armenia flag
Armenia
-0.685 %
209
Samoa flag
Samoa
-0.98 %
210
Latvia flag
Latvia
-1.118 %
211
Guyana flag
Guyana
-1.24 %
212
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
-1.347 %
213
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
-1.664 %
214
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
-2.424 %
215
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
-4.182 %
216
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
-4.657 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Kenya flagKenya
  2. #2Nepal flagNepal
  3. #3Bahrain flagBahrain
  4. #4Equatorial Guinea flagEquatorial Guinea
  5. #5Uganda flagUganda
  6. #6Qatar flagQatar
  7. #7Burundi flagBurundi
  8. #8Burkina Faso flagBurkina Faso
  9. #9United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab Emirates
  10. #10Turks and Caicos Islands flagTurks and Caicos Islands

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #216Saint Lucia flagSaint Lucia
  2. #215Trinidad and Tobago flagTrinidad and Tobago
  3. #214Northern Mariana Islands flagNorthern Mariana Islands
  4. #213Lithuania flagLithuania
  5. #212Antigua and Barbuda flagAntigua and Barbuda
  6. #211Guyana flagGuyana
  7. #210Latvia flagLatvia
  8. #209Samoa flagSamoa
  9. #208Armenia flagArmenia
  10. #207American Samoa flagAmerican Samoa

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2005, Kenya led the world with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 10.11%, while the global range extended from -0.44% to this peak value. The average urban population growth rate across the 200 countries with available data was 2.43%, providing a benchmark for global urbanization trends in that year.

Drivers of High Urban Growth Rates

The countries with the highest urban population growth rates in 2005, such as Kenya (10.11%), Nepal (10.07%), and Bahrain (9.05%), typically share certain economic and demographic characteristics. In many cases, rapid urbanization is driven by rural-to-urban migration as people seek better economic opportunities in cities. For instance, Kenya has experienced significant migration to urban centers like Nairobi, driven by its status as a regional economic hub.

In the Middle East, countries like Bahrain and Qatar (6.78%) have seen urban growth fueled by robust economic development linked to oil and gas industries. These sectors attract a large influx of both expatriate workers and internal migrants seeking employment opportunities. Similarly, Equatorial Guinea (8.39%) has seen urban growth spurred by its oil boom, which has transformed cities into centers of economic activity.

Negative Urban Growth: Causes and Implications

At the opposite end of the spectrum, countries like the Republic of Moldova (-0.44%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (-0.36%), and Romania (-0.32%) experienced negative urban population growth rates in 2005. This decline is often linked to economic stagnation, political instability, or demographic transitions such as declining birth rates and emigration.

In Eastern Europe, economic challenges and the aftermath of political upheaval have led to urban depopulation, as seen in Belarus (-0.31%) and Poland (-0.22%). These countries have faced significant outmigration to Western Europe, where economic opportunities are perceived to be more abundant. This demographic shift poses challenges for urban planning and economic development in their home countries.

Year-over-Year Changes: Significant Movements

Analyzing year-over-year changes, Liberia experienced the most significant increase in urban population growth rate, rising by 3.23% (150.0%). This dramatic increase can be attributed to post-conflict recovery and urban reconstruction efforts that attracted people back to cities. Similarly, Qatar saw a substantial rise of 2.78% (69.5%), reflecting its ongoing economic expansion and urban development projects.

Conversely, San Marino had the largest decrease, with a drop of -4.13% (-70.5%). This decline could be due to its small population size, where minor demographic shifts have a pronounced impact on growth rates. Other significant decreases were observed in Andorra (-2.75%) and Palau (-1.87%), highlighting the volatility of urban growth in smaller or isolated nations.

Implications of Urban Growth Patterns

The urban population growth trends of 2005 reveal broader implications for infrastructure, housing, and policy. Countries with high growth rates, such as Burundi (6.61%) and Burkina Faso (6.28%), must address challenges related to urban infrastructure development and service provision. Rapid urbanization can strain resources and lead to issues such as overcrowding and inadequate public services if not managed effectively.

In contrast, nations experiencing negative urban growth, like Slovakia (-0.29%) and Puerto Rico (-0.25%), face different challenges. These include economic revitalization and reversing demographic decline to sustain urban areas. Strategic policy interventions are essential to balance urban growth with sustainable development goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2005

Which country had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2005?

Kenya had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2005, with a rate of 10.11%.

Which country had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2005?

Saint Lucia had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2005, with a rate of -4.66%.

What was the average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2005?

The average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2005 was 2.15%.

What was the median urban population annual growth rate in 2005?

The median urban population annual growth rate in 2005 was 2.01%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for urban population annual growth rate in 2005?

The top 3 countries for urban population annual growth rate in 2005 were Kenya (10.11%), Nepal (10.07%), and Bahrain (9.05%).

How many countries were included in the dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2005?

The dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2005 included 216 countries.

Insights by country

1

Kuwait

Kuwait ranked #49 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 3.67027707336391 % in 2005. This growth rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting the rapid urbanization trends seen across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The key drivers of this growth in Kuwait include its substantial oil wealth, which has spurred economic development and attracted a significant expatriate workforce, alongside a relatively small native population.

2

Eritrea

Eritrea's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate was 2.8778339442139 % in 2005, ranking it #75 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is above the global average, reflecting a trend of increasing urbanization in many developing nations.

The key drivers of this urban growth in Eritrea include ongoing economic challenges and the migration of rural populations to cities in search of better opportunities. Additionally, the government’s focus on urban infrastructure development has contributed to this demographic shift.

3

Bahrain

Bahrain ranked #3 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 9.05287256267753 % in 2005. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting rapid urbanization trends. The key drivers for this growth include Bahrain's strategic economic initiatives, which have attracted a diverse workforce, and its limited land area, prompting increased urban development to accommodate a burgeoning population.

4

French Polynesia

In 2005, French Polynesia recorded an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 2.51156869642063 %, ranking #84 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is notable compared to many Pacific island nations, which often face stagnation due to limited resources. Economic opportunities in tourism and a young demographic have driven urbanization in French Polynesia, as residents migrate towards urban centers for better employment prospects.

5

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic ranked #182 globally in 2005 with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 0.0547009724924329 %. This figure is notably lower than many neighboring countries, reflecting a trend of stable urbanization in contrast to more rapid growth seen in regions like Eastern Europe. Contributing factors include a mature urban infrastructure and a relatively high standard of living, which have led to slower population shifts from rural to urban areas.

6

Afghanistan

In 2005, Afghanistan ranked #18 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 5.08707018829666 %. This growth rate is significantly higher than the global average, indicating rapid urbanization in the country. Key drivers include ongoing conflict leading to rural-urban migration and the need for economic opportunities in cities, as many Afghans seek improved living conditions and access to services.

7

Niger

Niger ranked #50 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 3.62971954924472 % in 2005. This growth rate is significant compared to many neighboring countries in West Africa, reflecting a trend towards urbanization in the region.

The rapid urbanization in Niger can be attributed to factors such as increasing economic opportunities in urban areas and a youthful population seeking better living conditions. Additionally, ongoing rural-to-urban migration has fueled this demographic shift, as residents leave rural regions affected by climate challenges and limited resources.

8

Brazil

In 2005, Brazil had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.46073467565998 %, ranking #131 out of 216 countries. This rate is below the global average, indicating slower urbanization compared to many other nations. Key drivers for this growth include Brazil's ongoing economic development and internal migration patterns, as people move from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities.

9

Laos

In 2005, Laos achieved a remarkable 27th global rank in Urban Population Annual Growth Rate, with a value of 4.42548509984005 %. This rate is significantly higher than many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, reflecting rapid urbanization trends in the region. Key drivers include economic development initiatives and increased migration from rural areas to cities, as citizens seek better employment opportunities and living conditions.

10

El Salvador

In 2005, El Salvador had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.4812650657243 %, ranking #128 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is lower than that of many neighboring countries, reflecting regional trends in urbanization. Key drivers include economic challenges and limited job opportunities in urban areas, which influence migration patterns and urban development.

11

Barbados

In 2005, Barbados had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -0.234778585461381 %, ranking #193 out of 216 countries. This decline is notable compared to many Caribbean nations, which often experience urbanization due to tourism and economic development. Key factors contributing to this negative growth include a stable population size and limited economic opportunities in urban areas, leading to a stagnant urban environment.

12

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea ranked #69 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 3.04639982941645 % in 2005. This growth rate is notably higher than many neighboring Pacific nations, reflecting significant urban migration trends. Factors driving this urbanization include economic opportunities in cities, as well as ongoing population pressures in rural areas, which push individuals towards urban centers for better livelihoods.

13

Luxembourg

In 2005, Luxembourg had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.98688358626466 %, ranking #109 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is notable when compared to many of its European neighbors, which often experience slower urbanization rates. The rapid urban growth in Luxembourg can be attributed to its robust economy, driven by the financial sector, and its status as a hub for international migration, attracting a diverse population seeking employment opportunities.

14

Malaysia

In 2005, Malaysia achieved a global rank of #46 with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 3.69725403553387%. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting significant urbanization trends in the region. Key drivers include rapid economic development, increased job opportunities in urban areas, and government policies promoting urban infrastructure and housing. These factors have collectively contributed to a substantial migration from rural to urban settings in Malaysia.

Data Source

Urban population growth (annual %) - World Bank Open Data

The World Bank Open Data provides comprehensive datasets on various aspects of global development, including urban population growth rates. The "Urban population growth (annual %)" indicator offers country-level statistics reflecting the annual percentage change in the urban population, based on the total population.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Urban Population Annual Growth Rate data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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