Urban Population Annual Growth Rate 2009
Urban population annual growth rate measures the year-over-year percentage increase in a country's urban population.
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Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Qatar | 12.226 % | |
2 | Equatorial Guinea | 9.538 % | |
3 | Uganda | 9.422 % | |
4 | Burundi | 8.867 % | |
5 | Bahrain | 8.605 % | |
6 | United Arab Emirates | 6.465 % | |
7 | Afghanistan | 6.283 % | |
8 | South Sudan | 6.253 % | |
9 | Mauritania | 5.802 % | |
10 | Nepal | 5.735 % | |
11 | Mali | 5.325 % | |
12 | Kuwait | 5.291 % | |
13 | Angola | 5.145 % | |
14 | Kiribati | 5.143 % | |
15 | Tanzania | 5.095 % | |
16 | Ethiopia | 4.946 % | |
17 | Zambia | 4.885 % | |
18 | Lesotho | 4.857 % | |
19 | San Marino | 4.804 % | |
20 | Maldives | 4.75 % | |
21 | British Virgin Islands | 4.666 % | |
22 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 4.652 % | |
23 | Timor-Leste | 4.558 % | |
24 | Solomon Islands | 4.549 % | |
25 | Burkina Faso | 4.54 % | |
26 | Philippines | 4.501 % | |
27 | Togo | 4.418 % | |
28 | Kenya | 4.403 % | |
29 | Nigeria | 4.401 % | |
30 | Yemen | 4.32 % | |
31 | Somalia | 4.301 % | |
32 | Cambodia | 4.289 % | |
33 | Congo | 4.288 % | |
34 | Benin | 4.272 % | |
35 | Liberia | 4.234 % | |
36 | Sao Tome and Principe | 4.192 % | |
37 | Saudi Arabia | 4.184 % | |
38 | Gambia | 4.168 % | |
39 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 4.113 % | |
40 | Vanuatu | 4.024 % | |
41 | Namibia | 3.999 % | |
42 | Madagascar | 3.938 % | |
43 | Gabon | 3.912 % | |
44 | Iraq | 3.854 % | |
45 | Ghana | 3.781 % | |
46 | Sierra Leone | 3.684 % | |
47 | Niger | 3.671 % | |
48 | Laos | 3.644 % | |
49 | Cameroon | 3.632 % | |
50 | Chad | 3.586 % | |
51 | Botswana | 3.54 % | |
52 | Tuvalu | 3.478 % | |
53 | Honduras | 3.465 % | |
54 | Malawi | 3.462 % | |
55 | Sri Lanka | 3.44 % | |
56 | Guinea-Bissau | 3.403 % | |
57 | Jordan | 3.369 % | |
58 | Turkey | 3.355 % | |
59 | Thailand | 3.339 % | |
60 | China | 3.334 % | |
61 | Vietnam | 3.322 % | |
62 | Costa Rica | 3.276 % | |
63 | Guinea | 3.274 % | |
64 | Mozambique | 3.273 % | |
65 | Guatemala | 3.233 % | |
66 | Senegal | 3.225 % | |
67 | Haiti | 3.193 % | |
68 | Oman | 3.168 % | |
69 | Côte d'Ivoire | 3.158 % | |
70 | State of Palestine | 3.157 % | |
71 | Mongolia | 3.136 % | |
72 | Pakistan | 3.068 % | |
73 | Sudan | 3.067 % | |
74 | Singapore | 3.016 % | |
75 | Malaysia | 2.997 % | |
76 | Papua New Guinea | 2.985 % | |
77 | Bhutan | 2.849 % | |
78 | Algeria | 2.835 % | |
79 | Cayman Islands | 2.828 % | |
80 | Dominican Republic | 2.778 % | |
81 | Eritrea | 2.747 % | |
82 | Indonesia | 2.708 % | |
83 | Comoros | 2.699 % | |
84 | India | 2.681 % | |
85 | Rwanda | 2.6 % | |
86 | Bangladesh | 2.553 % | |
87 | Israel | 2.393 % | |
88 | Morocco | 2.386 % | |
89 | Syrian Arab Republic | 2.37 % | |
90 | Luxembourg | 2.346 % | |
91 | Cabo Verde | 2.326 % | |
92 | Bolivia | 2.324 % | |
93 | Brunei Darussalam | 2.249 % | |
94 | Azerbaijan | 2.213 % | |
95 | Australia | 2.18 % | |
96 | Iran | 2.119 % | |
97 | Libya | 2.069 % | |
98 | Panama | 2.057 % | |
99 | Tajikistan | 2.043 % | |
100 | Turkmenistan | 2.031 % | |
101 | Djibouti | 2.025 % | |
102 | Belize | 2.016 % | |
103 | South Africa | 1.984 % | |
104 | Ecuador | 1.896 % | |
105 | New Caledonia | 1.848 % | |
106 | Egypt | 1.836 % | |
107 | Albania | 1.783 % | |
108 | French Polynesia | 1.761 % | |
109 | Nicaragua | 1.756 % | |
110 | El Salvador | 1.707 % | |
111 | Faroe Islands | 1.647 % | |
112 | Norway | 1.645 % | |
113 | Monaco | 1.645 % | |
114 | Isle of Man | 1.612 % | |
115 | Lebanon | 1.555 % | |
116 | Saint Martin (French part) | 1.502 % | |
117 | Ireland | 1.477 % | |
118 | Mexico | 1.469 % | |
119 | Zimbabwe | 1.457 % | |
120 | Tunisia | 1.425 % | |
121 | Cyprus | 1.397 % | |
122 | Bahamas | 1.396 % | |
123 | Venezuela | 1.39 % | |
124 | Canada | 1.388 % | |
125 | Colombia | 1.344 % | |
126 | Gibraltar | 1.339 % | |
127 | Peru | 1.333 % | |
128 | Fiji | 1.33 % | |
129 | Kyrgyzstan | 1.301 % | |
130 | Switzerland | 1.285 % | |
131 | Uzbekistan | 1.248 % | |
132 | Argentina | 1.246 % | |
133 | Paraguay | 1.228 % | |
134 | Netherlands | 1.221 % | |
135 | Brazil | 1.213 % | |
136 | Spain | 1.205 % | |
137 | Kazakhstan | 1.148 % | |
138 | Belgium | 1.13 % | |
139 | Sweden | 1.067 % | |
140 | Suriname | 1.062 % | |
141 | Myanmar | 1.056 % | |
142 | Chile | 1.05 % | |
143 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | 1.038 % | |
144 | New Zealand | 0.973 % | |
145 | United States | 0.955 % | |
146 | Eswatini | 0.935 % | |
147 | Japan | 0.903 % | |
148 | United Kingdom | 0.898 % | |
149 | Malta | 0.874 % | |
150 | Portugal | 0.847 % | |
151 | Finland | 0.841 % | |
152 | Greece | 0.794 % | |
153 | Italy | 0.789 % | |
154 | Jamaica | 0.78 % | |
155 | Iceland | 0.748 % | |
156 | Uruguay | 0.745 % | |
157 | Denmark | 0.741 % | |
158 | Marshall Islands | 0.728 % | |
159 | Slovenia | 0.669 % | |
160 | Curaçao | 0.666 % | |
161 | North Korea | 0.663 % | |
162 | Montenegro | 0.639 % | |
163 | South Korea | 0.624 % | |
164 | Belarus | 0.617 % | |
165 | Dominica | 0.571 % | |
166 | Liechtenstein | 0.564 % | |
167 | Czech Republic | 0.492 % | |
168 | Tonga | 0.48 % | |
169 | France | 0.441 % | |
170 | Aruba | 0.422 % | |
171 | Bermuda | 0.418 % | |
172 | Hungary | 0.375 % | |
173 | Andorra | 0.362 % | |
174 | Seychelles | 0.333 % | |
175 | Guam | 0.327 % | |
176 | Austria | 0.302 % | |
177 | Grenada | 0.293 % | |
178 | Greenland | 0.269 % | |
179 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 0.215 % | |
180 | Cuba | 0.193 % | |
181 | Barbados | 0.181 % | |
182 | United States Virgin Islands | 0.123 % | |
183 | Russia | 0.094 % | |
184 | Nauru | 0.07 % | |
185 | Serbia | 0.056 % | |
186 | Georgia | -0.007 % | |
187 | Bulgaria | -0.082 % | |
188 | Estonia | -0.097 % | |
189 | Mauritius | -0.131 % | |
190 | Kosovo | -0.159 % | |
191 | Poland | -0.171 % | |
192 | Slovakia | -0.177 % | |
193 | Croatia | -0.183 % | |
194 | Ukraine | -0.199 % | |
195 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | -0.209 % | |
196 | Germany | -0.218 % | |
197 | Republic of Moldova | -0.242 % | |
198 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | -0.244 % | |
199 | Central African Republic | -0.322 % | |
200 | Trinidad and Tobago | -0.405 % | |
201 | North Macedonia | -0.528 % | |
202 | Romania | -0.539 % | |
203 | Puerto Rico | -0.59 % | |
204 | Antigua and Barbuda | -0.648 % | |
205 | Armenia | -0.736 % | |
206 | Samoa | -0.74 % | |
207 | American Samoa | -0.882 % | |
208 | Palau | -0.895 % | |
209 | Micronesia (Fed. States of) | -0.955 % | |
210 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | -1.034 % | |
211 | China, Macao SAR | -1.06 % | |
212 | Lithuania | -1.067 % | |
213 | Guyana | -1.221 % | |
214 | Latvia | -1.665 % | |
215 | Northern Mariana Islands | -3.166 % | |
216 | Saint Lucia | -3.699 % |
- #1
Qatar
- #2
Equatorial Guinea
- #3
Uganda
- #4
Burundi
- #5
Bahrain
- #6
United Arab Emirates
- #7
Afghanistan
- #8
South Sudan
- #9
Mauritania
- #10
Nepal
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #216
Saint Lucia
- #215
Northern Mariana Islands
- #214
Latvia
- #213
Guyana
- #212
Lithuania
- #211
China, Macao SAR
- #210
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- #209
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
- #208
Palau
- #207
American 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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