Urban Population Annual Growth Rate 2009

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
Qatar flag
Qatar
12.226 %
2
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
9.538 %
3
Uganda flag
Uganda
9.422 %
4
Burundi flag
Burundi
8.867 %
5
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
8.605 %
6
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
6.465 %
7
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
6.283 %
8
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
6.253 %
9
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
5.802 %
10
Nepal flag
Nepal
5.735 %
11
Mali flag
Mali
5.325 %
12
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
5.291 %
13
Angola flag
Angola
5.145 %
14
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
5.143 %
15
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
5.095 %
16
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
4.946 %
17
Zambia flag
Zambia
4.885 %
18
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
4.857 %
19
San Marino flag
San Marino
4.804 %
20
Maldives flag
Maldives
4.75 %
21
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
4.666 %
22
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
4.652 %
23
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
4.558 %
24
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
4.549 %
25
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
4.54 %
26
Philippines flag
Philippines
4.501 %
27
Togo flag
Togo
4.418 %
28
Kenya flag
Kenya
4.403 %
29
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
4.401 %
30
Yemen flag
Yemen
4.32 %
31
Somalia flag
Somalia
4.301 %
32
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
4.289 %
33
Congo flag
Congo
4.288 %
34
Benin flag
Benin
4.272 %
35
Liberia flag
Liberia
4.234 %
36
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
4.192 %
37
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
4.184 %
38
Gambia flag
Gambia
4.168 %
39
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
4.113 %
40
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
4.024 %
41
Namibia flag
Namibia
3.999 %
42
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
3.938 %
43
Gabon flag
Gabon
3.912 %
44
Iraq flag
Iraq
3.854 %
45
Ghana flag
Ghana
3.781 %
46
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
3.684 %
47
Niger flag
Niger
3.671 %
48
Laos flag
Laos
3.644 %
49
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
3.632 %
50
Chad flag
Chad
3.586 %
51
Botswana flag
Botswana
3.54 %
52
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
3.478 %
53
Honduras flag
Honduras
3.465 %
54
Malawi flag
Malawi
3.462 %
55
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
3.44 %
56
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
3.403 %
57
Jordan flag
Jordan
3.369 %
58
Turkey flag
Turkey
3.355 %
59
Thailand flag
Thailand
3.339 %
60
China flag
China
3.334 %
61
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
3.322 %
62
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
3.276 %
63
Guinea flag
Guinea
3.274 %
64
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
3.273 %
65
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
3.233 %
66
Senegal flag
Senegal
3.225 %
67
Haiti flag
Haiti
3.193 %
68
Oman flag
Oman
3.168 %
69
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
3.158 %
70
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
3.157 %
71
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
3.136 %
72
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
3.068 %
73
Sudan flag
Sudan
3.067 %
74
Singapore flag
Singapore
3.016 %
75
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
2.997 %
76
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
2.985 %
77
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
2.849 %
78
Algeria flag
Algeria
2.835 %
79
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
2.828 %
80
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
2.778 %
81
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
2.747 %
82
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
2.708 %
83
Comoros flag
Comoros
2.699 %
84
India flag
India
2.681 %
85
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
2.6 %
86
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
2.553 %
87
Israel flag
Israel
2.393 %
88
Morocco flag
Morocco
2.386 %
89
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
2.37 %
90
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
2.346 %
91
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
2.326 %
92
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
2.324 %
93
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
2.249 %
94
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
2.213 %
95
Australia flag
Australia
2.18 %
96
Iran flag
Iran
2.119 %
97
Libya flag
Libya
2.069 %
98
Panama flag
Panama
2.057 %
99
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
2.043 %
100
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
2.031 %
101
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
2.025 %
102
Belize flag
Belize
2.016 %
103
South Africa flag
South Africa
1.984 %
104
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
1.896 %
105
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
1.848 %
106
Egypt flag
Egypt
1.836 %
107
Albania flag
Albania
1.783 %
108
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
1.761 %
109
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
1.756 %
110
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
1.707 %
111
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
1.647 %
112
Norway flag
Norway
1.645 %
113
Monaco flag
Monaco
1.645 %
114
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
1.612 %
115
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
1.555 %
116
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
1.502 %
117
Ireland flag
Ireland
1.477 %
118
Mexico flag
Mexico
1.469 %
119
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
1.457 %
120
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
1.425 %
121
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
1.397 %
122
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
1.396 %
123
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
1.39 %
124
Canada flag
Canada
1.388 %
125
Colombia flag
Colombia
1.344 %
126
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
1.339 %
127
Peru flag
Peru
1.333 %
128
Fiji flag
Fiji
1.33 %
129
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
1.301 %
130
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
1.285 %
131
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
1.248 %
132
Argentina flag
Argentina
1.246 %
133
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
1.228 %
134
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
1.221 %
135
Brazil flag
Brazil
1.213 %
136
Spain flag
Spain
1.205 %
137
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
1.148 %
138
Belgium flag
Belgium
1.13 %
139
Sweden flag
Sweden
1.067 %
140
Suriname flag
Suriname
1.062 %
141
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
1.056 %
142
Chile flag
Chile
1.05 %
143
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
1.038 %
144
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
0.973 %
145
United States flag
United States
0.955 %
146
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
0.935 %
147
Japan flag
Japan
0.903 %
148
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
0.898 %
149
Malta flag
Malta
0.874 %
150
Portugal flag
Portugal
0.847 %
151
Finland flag
Finland
0.841 %
152
Greece flag
Greece
0.794 %
153
Italy flag
Italy
0.789 %
154
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
0.78 %
155
Iceland flag
Iceland
0.748 %
156
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
0.745 %
157
Denmark flag
Denmark
0.741 %
158
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
0.728 %
159
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
0.669 %
160
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
0.666 %
161
North Korea flag
North Korea
0.663 %
162
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
0.639 %
163
South Korea flag
South Korea
0.624 %
164
Belarus flag
Belarus
0.617 %
165
Dominica flag
Dominica
0.571 %
166
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
0.564 %
167
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
0.492 %
168
Tonga flag
Tonga
0.48 %
169
France flag
France
0.441 %
170
Aruba flag
Aruba
0.422 %
171
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
0.418 %
172
Hungary flag
Hungary
0.375 %
173
Andorra flag
Andorra
0.362 %
174
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
0.333 %
175
Guam flag
Guam
0.327 %
176
Austria flag
Austria
0.302 %
177
Grenada flag
Grenada
0.293 %
178
Greenland flag
Greenland
0.269 %
179
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
0.215 %
180
Cuba flag
Cuba
0.193 %
181
Barbados flag
Barbados
0.181 %
182
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
0.123 %
183
Russia flag
Russia
0.094 %
184
Nauru flag
Nauru
0.07 %
185
Serbia flag
Serbia
0.056 %
186
Georgia flag
Georgia
-0.007 %
187
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
-0.082 %
188
Estonia flag
Estonia
-0.097 %
189
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
-0.131 %
190
Kosovo flag
Kosovo
-0.159 %
191
Poland flag
Poland
-0.171 %
192
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
-0.177 %
193
Croatia flag
Croatia
-0.183 %
194
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
-0.199 %
195
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-0.209 %
196
Germany flag
Germany
-0.218 %
197
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
-0.242 %
198
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
-0.244 %
199
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
-0.322 %
200
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
-0.405 %
201
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
-0.528 %
202
Romania flag
Romania
-0.539 %
203
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
-0.59 %
204
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
-0.648 %
205
Armenia flag
Armenia
-0.736 %
206
Samoa flag
Samoa
-0.74 %
207
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
-0.882 %
208
Palau flag
Palau
-0.895 %
209
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
-0.955 %
210
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-1.034 %
211
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
-1.06 %
212
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
-1.067 %
213
Guyana flag
Guyana
-1.221 %
214
Latvia flag
Latvia
-1.665 %
215
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
-3.166 %
216
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
-3.699 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Qatar flagQatar
  2. #2Equatorial Guinea flagEquatorial Guinea
  3. #3Uganda flagUganda
  4. #4Burundi flagBurundi
  5. #5Bahrain flagBahrain
  6. #6United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab Emirates
  7. #7Afghanistan flagAfghanistan
  8. #8South Sudan flagSouth Sudan
  9. #9Mauritania flagMauritania
  10. #10Nepal flagNepal

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. #215Northern Mariana Islands flagNorthern Mariana Islands
  3. #214Latvia flagLatvia
  4. #213Guyana flagGuyana
  5. #212Lithuania flagLithuania
  6. #211China, Macao SAR flagChina, Macao SAR
  7. #210Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina
  8. #209Micronesia (Fed. States of) flagMicronesia (Fed. States of)
  9. #208Palau flagPalau
  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

Qatar led the world in Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2009 with a remarkable increase of 12.23%, while the global range varied from -0.41% to 12.23%. The global average growth rate was 2.40%, providing a benchmark for evaluating individual country performances.

Factors Influencing High Urban Growth Rates

The leading countries in urban population growth, such as Qatar (12.23%) and Equatorial Guinea (9.54%), illustrate how economic factors and governmental policies can drive rapid urbanization. In Qatar, substantial economic growth driven by the energy sector has catalyzed urban development, attracting a global workforce and boosting urban population figures. Similarly, Uganda (9.42%) and Burundi (8.87%) have experienced significant urbanization due to rural-to-urban migration as populations seek better economic opportunities and services in cities.

In Bahrain (8.60%) and the United Arab Emirates (6.46%), strategic governmental policies aimed at diversifying economies beyond oil have led to the development of urban infrastructure, further encouraging urban population growth. These countries have implemented ambitious urban planning initiatives, which have fostered environments conducive to rapid urbanization.

Understanding Negative Growth

On the other end of the spectrum, countries like Trinidad and Tobago (-0.41%) and the Central African Republic (-0.32%) faced negative urban growth rates. In Trinidad and Tobago, this decline can be attributed to limited economic diversification and emigration, which have contributed to a stagnating urban population. Similarly, political instability and economic challenges in the Central African Republic have impeded urban development, leading to population declines.

In European countries such as Germany (-0.22%) and Ukraine (-0.20%), the negative growth rates reflect broader demographic trends of aging populations and low birth rates, which have resulted in urban population shrinkage. This contrasts sharply with the burgeoning urban centers in developing regions.

Year-over-Year Trends and Major Changes

The year-over-year analysis reveals significant fluctuations in urban population growth rates. San Marino saw the most substantial increase, with its urban growth rate rising by 2.78%, suggesting effective urban policies or significant economic changes. Conversely, the United Arab Emirates experienced a dramatic decrease of -5.17%, reflecting potential policy shifts or economic adjustments that slowed urban expansion.

Other notable changes include Monaco with a +1.65% increase and Qatar with a -4.65% decrease. These changes underscore the volatility of urban growth rates in response to both domestic policies and global economic conditions. For instance, Afghanistan saw a positive change of +1.54%, possibly due to stabilization efforts and international aid improving urban living conditions.

The Global Context of Urban Growth

The average global urban growth rate of 2.40% highlights the ongoing trend of urbanization worldwide. This shift is largely driven by economic opportunities available in urban centers, which continue to attract rural populations. However, the disparity between countries with rapid urban growth and those experiencing declines points to varied economic, social, and political landscapes.

In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, burgeoning urban areas reflect a demographic dividend where youthful populations migrate to cities seeking employment. This contrasts with some European and Caribbean nations where aging populations and economic stagnation have led to urban population declines. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers aiming to manage urban growth sustainably and equitably.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2009

Which country had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2009?

Qatar had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2009, with a rate of 12.23%.

Which country had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2009?

Saint Lucia had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2009, with a rate of -3.7%.

What was the average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2009?

The average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2009 was 2.13%.

What was the median urban population annual growth rate in 2009?

The median urban population annual growth rate in 2009 was 1.76%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for urban population annual growth rate in 2009?

The top 3 countries for urban population annual growth rate in 2009 were Qatar (12.23%), Equatorial Guinea (9.54%), and Uganda (9.42%).

How many countries were included in the dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2009?

The dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2009 included 216 countries.

Insights by country

1

Mongolia

Mongolia ranked #71 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 3.1363894957421 % in 2009. This rate is notably higher than many neighboring countries, reflecting rapid urbanization trends in the region. The primary drivers include significant rural-to-urban migration as people seek better economic opportunities in cities like Ulaanbaatar, which is experiencing substantial infrastructure development to accommodate this growth.

2

Myanmar

In 2009, Myanmar had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.05601367583589 %, ranking #141 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is relatively modest compared to rapidly urbanizing neighbors like Vietnam, which has experienced higher rates. Contributing factors to Myanmar's urban growth include ongoing economic reforms and migration trends driven by rural poverty and conflict, prompting many to seek better opportunities in urban areas.

3

Lithuania

In 2009, Lithuania had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -1.06707712244824 %, ranking #212 out of 216 countries. This decline is notably worse than the regional average in Eastern Europe, where urban growth rates remained positive during the same period. Contributing factors include significant emigration and a declining birth rate, which have led to reduced urbanization in the country.

4

Guinea

In 2009, Guinea's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate was 3.27433759636281 %, ranking it #63 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is notable compared to the global average, reflecting significant urbanization trends across West Africa. Contributing factors include Guinea's young and rapidly growing population, alongside economic opportunities in urban areas that attract rural migrants seeking better livelihoods.

5

Solomon Islands

In 2009, Solomon Islands had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 4.54917408061821 %, ranking #24 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is significantly higher than many neighboring Pacific island nations, indicating a trend towards urbanization in the region.

The rapid urbanization in Solomon Islands can be attributed to factors such as economic opportunities in urban areas and a young, growing population seeking better living conditions. Additionally, the country's geographic dispersion has led to migration towards urban centers like Honiara, where services and employment prospects are concentrated.

6

Albania

In 2009, Albania had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.78260194375695 %, ranking #107 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is indicative of urbanization trends in the Balkans, where many nations are experiencing similar shifts, though Albania's rate is lower than that of neighboring Kosovo, which has a more rapid urbanization process. Contributing factors to Albania's urban growth include ongoing economic development, migration from rural areas to cities for better job opportunities, and improvements in infrastructure that support urban living.

7

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Democratic Republic of the ranked #39 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 4.11305527281654 % in 2009. This growth rate is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting rapid urbanization trends in the region. Key drivers include ongoing economic challenges and internal migration as people move to cities in search of better opportunities and services.

8

Bulgaria

Bulgaria had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -0.082219130088333 % in 2009, ranking #187 out of 216 countries. This negative growth rate contrasts sharply with many neighboring countries in Eastern Europe, which generally experienced urbanization during this period.

The decline can be attributed to ongoing economic challenges, including high unemployment rates and emigration, as many Bulgarians sought better opportunities abroad. Additionally, demographic shifts, such as an aging population and low birth rates, have further contributed to stagnation in urban growth.

9

Croatia

In 2009, Croatia had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -0.183479938650026 %, ranking #193 out of 216 countries. This negative growth rate reflects a broader trend in Eastern Europe, where many countries face urban depopulation challenges. Contributing factors include economic stagnation, outmigration to Western Europe for better opportunities, and a declining birth rate, which has led to reduced urban population growth.

10

Poland

In 2009, Poland ranked #191 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -0.171047321923282 %. This decline positions Poland below many of its Central and Eastern European neighbors, reflecting a broader trend of urban stagnation in the region. Contributing factors include a low birth rate and significant emigration, which have impacted urban demographic dynamics and economic opportunities, leading to reduced urban growth.

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.

Visit Data Source

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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