Urban Population Annual Growth Rate 2015

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
Jordan flag
Jordan
10.299 %
2
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
9.235 %
3
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
8.836 %
4
Qatar flag
Qatar
8.619 %
5
Burundi flag
Burundi
8.495 %
6
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
7.03 %
7
Somalia flag
Somalia
6.948 %
8
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
6.278 %
9
Uganda flag
Uganda
6.262 %
10
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
5.924 %
11
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
5.603 %
12
Turkey flag
Turkey
5.566 %
13
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
5.518 %
14
Mali flag
Mali
5.404 %
15
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
5.397 %
16
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
5.353 %
17
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
5.194 %
18
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
5.079 %
19
Oman flag
Oman
4.994 %
20
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
4.895 %
21
Angola flag
Angola
4.861 %
22
Yemen flag
Yemen
4.677 %
23
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
4.641 %
24
Senegal flag
Senegal
4.534 %
25
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
4.499 %
26
Maldives flag
Maldives
4.453 %
27
Benin flag
Benin
4.385 %
28
Chad flag
Chad
4.382 %
29
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
4.246 %
30
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
4.243 %
31
Namibia flag
Namibia
4.178 %
32
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
4.154 %
33
Zambia flag
Zambia
4.059 %
34
Niger flag
Niger
4.056 %
35
Sudan flag
Sudan
4.017 %
36
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
3.999 %
37
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
3.903 %
38
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
3.807 %
39
Gambia flag
Gambia
3.806 %
40
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
3.796 %
41
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
3.651 %
42
Gabon flag
Gabon
3.64 %
43
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
3.632 %
44
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
3.595 %
45
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
3.516 %
46
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
3.403 %
47
China flag
China
3.375 %
48
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
3.353 %
49
Ghana flag
Ghana
3.35 %
50
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
3.324 %
51
Philippines flag
Philippines
3.285 %
52
Comoros flag
Comoros
3.247 %
53
Malawi flag
Malawi
3.182 %
54
Guinea flag
Guinea
3.16 %
55
Liberia flag
Liberia
3.1 %
56
Iraq flag
Iraq
3.091 %
57
Togo flag
Togo
3.006 %
58
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
2.946 %
59
Algeria flag
Algeria
2.91 %
60
Laos flag
Laos
2.857 %
61
Honduras flag
Honduras
2.839 %
62
Haiti flag
Haiti
2.782 %
63
Congo flag
Congo
2.619 %
64
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
2.594 %
65
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
2.586 %
66
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
2.568 %
67
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
2.534 %
68
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
2.496 %
69
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
2.492 %
70
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
2.477 %
71
Malta flag
Malta
2.475 %
72
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
2.434 %
73
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
2.394 %
74
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
2.394 %
75
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
2.387 %
76
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
2.36 %
77
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
2.317 %
78
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
2.288 %
79
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
2.258 %
80
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
2.239 %
81
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
2.191 %
82
India flag
India
2.176 %
83
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
2.155 %
84
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
2.148 %
85
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
2.137 %
86
South Africa flag
South Africa
2.128 %
87
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
2.12 %
88
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
2.079 %
89
Iran flag
Iran
2.078 %
90
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
2.069 %
91
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
2.042 %
92
Kenya flag
Kenya
2.04 %
93
Peru flag
Peru
2.004 %
94
Israel flag
Israel
1.969 %
95
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
1.969 %
96
Nauru flag
Nauru
1.954 %
97
Egypt flag
Egypt
1.919 %
98
Botswana flag
Botswana
1.909 %
99
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
1.904 %
100
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
1.887 %
101
Panama flag
Panama
1.846 %
102
Thailand flag
Thailand
1.83 %
103
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
1.804 %
104
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
1.776 %
105
Norway flag
Norway
1.769 %
106
Morocco flag
Morocco
1.731 %
107
Monaco flag
Monaco
1.726 %
108
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
1.692 %
109
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
1.665 %
110
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
1.619 %
111
Australia flag
Australia
1.619 %
112
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
1.605 %
113
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
1.583 %
114
Belize flag
Belize
1.525 %
115
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
1.488 %
116
Sweden flag
Sweden
1.473 %
117
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
1.463 %
118
Libya flag
Libya
1.388 %
119
Mexico flag
Mexico
1.35 %
120
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
1.339 %
121
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
1.335 %
122
Austria flag
Austria
1.332 %
123
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
1.318 %
124
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
1.279 %
125
Chile flag
Chile
1.195 %
126
Singapore flag
Singapore
1.186 %
127
Iceland flag
Iceland
1.157 %
128
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
1.157 %
129
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
1.151 %
130
Argentina flag
Argentina
1.151 %
131
Nepal flag
Nepal
1.143 %
132
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
1.139 %
133
Ireland flag
Ireland
1.111 %
134
Fiji flag
Fiji
1.101 %
135
Brazil flag
Brazil
1.096 %
136
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
1.094 %
137
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
1.074 %
138
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
1.037 %
139
Suriname flag
Suriname
1.018 %
140
Germany flag
Germany
1.017 %
141
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
0.953 %
142
Colombia flag
Colombia
0.94 %
143
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
0.934 %
144
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
0.92 %
145
France flag
France
0.882 %
146
North Korea flag
North Korea
0.863 %
147
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
0.855 %
148
Belgium flag
Belgium
0.854 %
149
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
0.851 %
150
Canada flag
Canada
0.804 %
151
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
0.797 %
152
Georgia flag
Georgia
0.781 %
153
Finland flag
Finland
0.776 %
154
Denmark flag
Denmark
0.755 %
155
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
0.754 %
156
San Marino flag
San Marino
0.738 %
157
United States flag
United States
0.732 %
158
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
0.72 %
159
Aruba flag
Aruba
0.691 %
160
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
0.623 %
161
Guyana flag
Guyana
0.612 %
162
Dominica flag
Dominica
0.593 %
163
Grenada flag
Grenada
0.56 %
164
Belarus flag
Belarus
0.507 %
165
Kosovo flag
Kosovo
0.468 %
166
Samoa flag
Samoa
0.462 %
167
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
0.442 %
168
South Korea flag
South Korea
0.415 %
169
Russia flag
Russia
0.412 %
170
Estonia flag
Estonia
0.377 %
171
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
0.363 %
172
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
0.33 %
173
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
0.322 %
174
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
0.292 %
175
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
0.269 %
176
Barbados flag
Barbados
0.237 %
177
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
0.198 %
178
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
0.185 %
179
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
0.111 %
180
Greenland flag
Greenland
0.108 %
181
Spain flag
Spain
0.076 %
182
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
0.068 %
183
Japan flag
Japan
0.002 %
184
Cuba flag
Cuba
-0.061 %
185
Serbia flag
Serbia
-0.077 %
186
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
-0.093 %
187
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
-0.102 %
188
Hungary flag
Hungary
-0.107 %
189
Italy flag
Italy
-0.109 %
190
Palau flag
Palau
-0.119 %
191
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
-0.151 %
192
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
-0.164 %
193
Armenia flag
Armenia
-0.184 %
194
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
-0.217 %
195
Poland flag
Poland
-0.228 %
196
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
-0.259 %
197
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-0.264 %
198
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
-0.325 %
199
Guam flag
Guam
-0.351 %
200
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-0.377 %
201
Greece flag
Greece
-0.392 %
202
Portugal flag
Portugal
-0.417 %
203
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
-0.602 %
204
Romania flag
Romania
-0.692 %
205
Albania flag
Albania
-0.769 %
206
Latvia flag
Latvia
-0.778 %
207
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
-0.78 %
208
Tonga flag
Tonga
-0.912 %
209
Croatia flag
Croatia
-0.974 %
210
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
-1.2 %
211
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
-1.246 %
212
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
-1.382 %
213
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
-1.501 %
214
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
-1.538 %
215
Andorra flag
Andorra
-2.172 %
216
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
-4.604 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Jordan flagJordan
  2. #2Cambodia flagCambodia
  3. #3Equatorial Guinea flagEquatorial Guinea
  4. #4Qatar flagQatar
  5. #5Burundi flagBurundi
  6. #6Solomon Islands flagSolomon Islands
  7. #7Somalia flagSomalia
  8. #8Rwanda flagRwanda
  9. #9Uganda flagUganda
  10. #10British Virgin Islands flagBritish Virgin Islands

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #216Syrian Arab Republic flagSyrian Arab Republic
  2. #215Andorra flagAndorra
  3. #214American Samoa flagAmerican Samoa
  4. #213Marshall Islands flagMarshall Islands
  5. #212Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico
  6. #211Bulgaria flagBulgaria
  7. #210Northern Mariana Islands flagNorthern Mariana Islands
  8. #209Croatia flagCroatia
  9. #208Tonga flagTonga
  10. #207Lithuania flagLithuania

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

Analysis & Context

In 2015, Jordan led the world with the highest Urban Population Annual Growth Rate at 10.30%, while the global range spanned from -0.38% to 10.30%. The global average urban population growth rate stood at 2.24%, providing a benchmark for assessing urbanization trends across different regions.

Economic Drivers of Urban Growth

The urban population growth rates often reflect underlying economic conditions and opportunities within countries. In Jordan, a growth rate of 10.30% is indicative of the country's rapid urbanization, driven by an influx of migrants and refugees, particularly from neighboring conflict zones, which have spurred urban expansion. Similarly, Qatar experienced a significant urban growth rate of 8.62%, fueled by substantial investments in infrastructure and the energy sector, attracting both domestic and international migrants to urban areas.

Conversely, countries with negative growth rates, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina at -0.38%, often face economic stagnation or decline, leading to urban outmigration. Economic challenges, such as high unemployment and limited job opportunities, can result in urban depopulation as residents seek better prospects elsewhere.

Geopolitical and Social Influences

Geopolitical factors significantly impact urban population dynamics. For instance, Somalia and Burundi, with growth rates of 6.95% and 8.49% respectively, are experiencing urbanization as people move to cities seeking safety from rural conflicts and instability. Urban centers often provide relative safety and access to resources, driving population shifts even in less economically developed regions.

In contrast, Ukraine saw a slight urban population decline of -0.26%, partly attributable to geopolitical tensions and economic disruptions. Such conditions can discourage urban growth, as uncertainty and conflict lead to population displacements and hinder economic development.

Year-over-Year Trends and Movements

Analyzing year-over-year changes reveals dynamic shifts in urban growth rates. Slovenia saw the most significant increase, with a rise of 3.24% (166.0%), suggesting effective urban policies or economic rejuvenation efforts. Similarly, Saudi Arabia experienced a notable increase of 2.73% (102.7%), likely linked to strategic urban development initiatives and economic diversification efforts.

On the other hand, Lebanon experienced a drastic decrease of -8.03% (-78.6%), reflecting the impact of regional instability and economic challenges, which have led to a slowdown in urban growth. Qatar also saw a decrease of -3.03% (-26.0%), possibly due to fluctuations in migrant labor demand and economic adjustments.

Implications of Urbanization Patterns

The varied rates of urban population growth have significant implications for planning and policy. Rapid urban growth, as seen in Jordan and Cambodia with 9.23%, requires substantial investment in infrastructure, housing, and services to accommodate the increasing urban populace. Failure to address these needs can lead to urban sprawl, congestion, and inadequate living conditions.

Conversely, regions experiencing urban population decline, such as Guam and Isle of Man with rates of -0.35% and -0.33% respectively, face challenges in maintaining economic vitality and service provision. These areas may need to implement policies that attract and retain residents to ensure sustainable urban development.

Understanding these urbanization patterns is crucial for policymakers as they navigate the complexities of growth and decline, aiming to create balanced, sustainable urban environments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2015

Which country had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2015?

Jordan had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2015, with a rate of 10.3%.

Which country had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2015?

The Syrian Arab Republic had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2015, at -4.6%.

What was the average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2015?

The average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2015 was 1.98%.

What was the median urban population annual growth rate in 2015?

The median urban population annual growth rate in 2015 was 1.68%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for urban population annual growth rate in 2015?

The top 3 countries for urban population annual growth rate in 2015 were Jordan (10.3%), Cambodia (9.23%), and Equatorial Guinea (8.84%).

How many countries were included in the dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2015?

The dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2015 included 216 countries.

Insights by country

1

Cambodia

In 2015, Cambodia achieved a remarkable rank of #2 globally for its Urban Population Annual Growth Rate, which was 9.2346421781822 %. This rapid urbanization rate is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a strong trend towards urban living. Key drivers include the country's economic growth, particularly in sectors like tourism and manufacturing, alongside a youthful population migrating to cities for better opportunities.

2

El Salvador

In 2015, El Salvador had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.46332930091099 %, ranking #117 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is relatively modest compared to other Central American nations, reflecting regional trends of urbanization. Economic factors, such as limited job opportunities in rural areas and ongoing migration to cities for better living standards, significantly drive urban population growth in El Salvador.

3

South Korea

In 2015, South Korea had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 0.414564878860474 %, ranking #168 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is notably lower than the global average, reflecting a trend of urban saturation in developed nations. Contributing factors include rapid urbanization in previous decades, a high level of economic development, and significant investments in infrastructure that have stabilized urban populations.

4

Botswana

Botswana's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate was 1.90850647582917 % in 2015, ranking it #98 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is higher than that of several neighboring countries, indicating a trend towards urbanization in the region.

The key drivers behind this statistic include economic growth fueled by diamond mining and a young, rapidly urbanizing population seeking better employment opportunities in cities. Additionally, government policies have focused on infrastructure development, further facilitating urban migration.

5

Lithuania

In 2015, Lithuania had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -0.779798413753511 %, ranking #207 out of 216 countries. This decline contrasts sharply with many European nations, where urbanization typically increases. Contributing factors include emigration trends and a declining birth rate, which have led to a stagnation in urban population growth despite ongoing urban development projects.

6

Afghanistan

In 2015, Afghanistan's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate was 4.24580956643691 %, ranking #29 out of 216 countries. This rate is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting rapid urbanization trends in the region. Key drivers include ongoing conflict leading to rural-to-urban migration and a young population seeking better economic opportunities in cities.

7

Solomon Islands

In 2015, the Solomon Islands achieved a remarkable rank of #6 globally for its Urban Population Annual Growth Rate, which stood at 7.03037616272345 %. This growth rate is significantly higher than many neighboring Pacific nations, reflecting a trend towards urbanization that is not as pronounced in the region. Key drivers include a youthful demographic and economic opportunities in urban centers, which are attracting residents from rural areas seeking better livelihoods.

8

Ecuador

In 2015, Ecuador's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate was 1.48803809763377 %, ranking #115 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is slightly below the global average, indicating a moderate pace of urbanization compared to faster-growing urban centers worldwide. Contributing factors include Ecuador's diverse geography, which influences migration patterns, and ongoing economic development that attracts rural populations to urban areas in search of better opportunities.

9

Fiji

In 2015, Fiji had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.10098664904739 %, ranking #134 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is modest compared to regional neighbors, reflecting ongoing urbanization trends across the Pacific. Key drivers for this growth include increasing economic opportunities in urban areas and a shift in population from rural to urban settings, influenced by factors such as tourism and infrastructure development.

10

India

In 2015, India recorded an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 2.17617533145353 %, ranking #82 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is indicative of a broader trend in South Asia, where urbanization is rapidly increasing, though it remains below the rates of some neighboring countries like Bangladesh. Key drivers for India's urban population growth include significant rural-to-urban migration spurred by economic opportunities, as well as ongoing infrastructural developments in major cities.

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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