Urban Population Annual Growth Rate 2016

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
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
9.168 %
2
Somalia flag
Somalia
8.484 %
3
Burundi flag
Burundi
7.988 %
4
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
7.334 %
5
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
7.024 %
6
Uganda flag
Uganda
6.154 %
7
Qatar flag
Qatar
5.548 %
8
Jordan flag
Jordan
5.471 %
9
Mali flag
Mali
5.461 %
10
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
5.389 %
11
Oman flag
Oman
5.385 %
12
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
5.293 %
13
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
5.159 %
14
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
5.145 %
15
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
4.868 %
16
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
4.863 %
17
Angola flag
Angola
4.803 %
18
Yemen flag
Yemen
4.725 %
19
Senegal flag
Senegal
4.651 %
20
Chad flag
Chad
4.493 %
21
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
4.469 %
22
Maldives flag
Maldives
4.455 %
23
Benin flag
Benin
4.37 %
24
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
4.326 %
25
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
4.32 %
26
Niger flag
Niger
4.202 %
27
Namibia flag
Namibia
4.148 %
28
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
4.101 %
29
Zambia flag
Zambia
4.016 %
30
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
3.953 %
31
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
3.912 %
32
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
3.827 %
33
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
3.823 %
34
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
3.703 %
35
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
3.689 %
36
Gambia flag
Gambia
3.668 %
37
Laos flag
Laos
3.663 %
38
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
3.628 %
39
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
3.525 %
40
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
3.483 %
41
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
3.47 %
42
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
3.455 %
43
Gabon flag
Gabon
3.385 %
44
Guinea flag
Guinea
3.342 %
45
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
3.325 %
46
Sudan flag
Sudan
3.323 %
47
Ghana flag
Ghana
3.286 %
48
Comoros flag
Comoros
3.221 %
49
China flag
China
3.173 %
50
Malawi flag
Malawi
3.141 %
51
Liberia flag
Liberia
3.073 %
52
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
3.004 %
53
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
2.922 %
54
Algeria flag
Algeria
2.896 %
55
Togo flag
Togo
2.896 %
56
Philippines flag
Philippines
2.81 %
57
Honduras flag
Honduras
2.8 %
58
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
2.797 %
59
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
2.754 %
60
Haiti flag
Haiti
2.714 %
61
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
2.69 %
62
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
2.671 %
63
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
2.662 %
64
Congo flag
Congo
2.605 %
65
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
2.532 %
66
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
2.495 %
67
Thailand flag
Thailand
2.408 %
68
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
2.386 %
69
Iraq flag
Iraq
2.38 %
70
Turkey flag
Turkey
2.355 %
71
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
2.338 %
72
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
2.338 %
73
Malta flag
Malta
2.332 %
74
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
2.321 %
75
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
2.272 %
76
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
2.253 %
77
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
2.236 %
78
Peru flag
Peru
2.223 %
79
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
2.201 %
80
India flag
India
2.163 %
81
Iran flag
Iran
2.145 %
82
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
2.129 %
83
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
2.079 %
84
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
2.075 %
85
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
2.055 %
86
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
2.023 %
87
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
2.018 %
88
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
1.998 %
89
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
1.995 %
90
Israel flag
Israel
1.944 %
91
Kenya flag
Kenya
1.944 %
92
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
1.886 %
93
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
1.876 %
94
Botswana flag
Botswana
1.854 %
95
Egypt flag
Egypt
1.836 %
96
Panama flag
Panama
1.833 %
97
Nauru flag
Nauru
1.773 %
98
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
1.77 %
99
Belize flag
Belize
1.741 %
100
Morocco flag
Morocco
1.727 %
101
Australia flag
Australia
1.722 %
102
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
1.721 %
103
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
1.708 %
104
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
1.707 %
105
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
1.705 %
106
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
1.704 %
107
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
1.703 %
108
Sweden flag
Sweden
1.699 %
109
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
1.672 %
110
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
1.612 %
111
Kosovo flag
Kosovo
1.533 %
112
Libya flag
Libya
1.524 %
113
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
1.509 %
114
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
1.482 %
115
Iceland flag
Iceland
1.446 %
116
Norway flag
Norway
1.424 %
117
Ireland flag
Ireland
1.418 %
118
Monaco flag
Monaco
1.402 %
119
Chile flag
Chile
1.398 %
120
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
1.391 %
121
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
1.37 %
122
France flag
France
1.337 %
123
Austria flag
Austria
1.324 %
124
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
1.318 %
125
Singapore flag
Singapore
1.297 %
126
Mexico flag
Mexico
1.293 %
127
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
1.277 %
128
Canada flag
Canada
1.2 %
129
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
1.171 %
130
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
1.116 %
131
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
1.075 %
132
Argentina flag
Argentina
1.071 %
133
Fiji flag
Fiji
1.066 %
134
Brazil flag
Brazil
1.059 %
135
South Africa flag
South Africa
1.044 %
136
Colombia flag
Colombia
1.042 %
137
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
1.037 %
138
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
0.994 %
139
Nepal flag
Nepal
0.993 %
140
Suriname flag
Suriname
0.987 %
141
Germany flag
Germany
0.977 %
142
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
0.895 %
143
North Korea flag
North Korea
0.876 %
144
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
0.866 %
145
Belgium flag
Belgium
0.772 %
146
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
0.772 %
147
Denmark flag
Denmark
0.751 %
148
Finland flag
Finland
0.722 %
149
United States flag
United States
0.695 %
150
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
0.667 %
151
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
0.648 %
152
Guyana flag
Guyana
0.64 %
153
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
0.619 %
154
San Marino flag
San Marino
0.618 %
155
Georgia flag
Georgia
0.613 %
156
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
0.605 %
157
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
0.531 %
158
Grenada flag
Grenada
0.504 %
159
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
0.43 %
160
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
0.416 %
161
Aruba flag
Aruba
0.407 %
162
Russia flag
Russia
0.386 %
163
Estonia flag
Estonia
0.385 %
164
Belarus flag
Belarus
0.374 %
165
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
0.37 %
166
Greenland flag
Greenland
0.337 %
167
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
0.322 %
168
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
0.315 %
169
South Korea flag
South Korea
0.294 %
170
Samoa flag
Samoa
0.286 %
171
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
0.254 %
172
Barbados flag
Barbados
0.228 %
173
Spain flag
Spain
0.224 %
174
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
0.207 %
175
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
0.183 %
176
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
0.106 %
177
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
0.068 %
178
Japan flag
Japan
0.059 %
179
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
0.047 %
180
Andorra flag
Andorra
-0.008 %
181
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
-0.024 %
182
Cuba flag
Cuba
-0.03 %
183
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
-0.113 %
184
Serbia flag
Serbia
-0.115 %
185
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
-0.122 %
186
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
-0.126 %
187
Greece flag
Greece
-0.167 %
188
Palau flag
Palau
-0.196 %
189
Poland flag
Poland
-0.202 %
190
Italy flag
Italy
-0.209 %
191
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
-0.217 %
192
Armenia flag
Armenia
-0.255 %
193
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
-0.293 %
194
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-0.301 %
195
Portugal flag
Portugal
-0.321 %
196
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-0.353 %
197
Hungary flag
Hungary
-0.405 %
198
Guam flag
Guam
-0.408 %
199
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
-0.423 %
200
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
-0.52 %
201
Dominica flag
Dominica
-0.601 %
202
Albania flag
Albania
-0.792 %
203
Croatia flag
Croatia
-0.82 %
204
Romania flag
Romania
-0.861 %
205
Latvia flag
Latvia
-0.864 %
206
Tonga flag
Tonga
-1.039 %
207
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
-1.057 %
208
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
-1.117 %
209
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
-1.2 %
210
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
-1.225 %
211
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
-1.368 %
212
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
-1.534 %
213
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
-1.658 %
214
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
-1.756 %
215
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
-1.989 %
216
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
-2.097 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Cambodia flagCambodia
  2. #2Somalia flagSomalia
  3. #3Burundi flagBurundi
  4. #4Rwanda flagRwanda
  5. #5Solomon Islands flagSolomon Islands
  6. #6Uganda flagUganda
  7. #7Qatar flagQatar
  8. #8Jordan flagJordan
  9. #9Mali flagMali
  10. #10Mauritania flagMauritania

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #216Lebanon flagLebanon
  2. #215Syrian Arab Republic flagSyrian Arab Republic
  3. #214Marshall Islands flagMarshall Islands
  4. #213American Samoa flagAmerican Samoa
  5. #212Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico
  6. #211Northern Mariana Islands flagNorthern Mariana Islands
  7. #210Lithuania flagLithuania
  8. #209Bulgaria flagBulgaria
  9. #208South Sudan flagSouth Sudan
  10. #207Republic of Moldova flagRepublic of Moldova

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

Analysis & Context

In 2016, Cambodia had the highest Urban Population Annual Growth Rate at 9.17%, while the global range spanned from a minimum of -0.52% to a maximum of 9.17%. The global context for this year shows an average growth rate of 2.07%, with a median value of 1.73%.

Drivers of Urban Population Growth

The dynamics behind urban population growth rates are influenced by diverse factors including economic development, migration trends, and governmental policies. In countries like Cambodia (9.17%) and Somalia (8.48%), rapid urbanization is often driven by economic opportunities in urban centers that attract rural populations. Burundi (7.99%) and Rwanda (7.33%) also exhibit high growth rates, which can be attributed to their post-conflict rebuilding efforts that focus on urban infrastructure and services.

In contrast, countries with slower or negative growth, such as Saint Martin (French part) (-0.52%) and the British Virgin Islands (-0.42%), may experience population decline due to factors like natural disasters or limited economic opportunities that push residents to emigrate. Additionally, Hungary (-0.40%) and Portugal (-0.32%) face demographic challenges including low birth rates and high emigration rates, contributing to slower urban growth.

Urbanization and Economic Impacts

Economic conditions significantly influence urban growth rates. In Qatar (5.55%) and Jordan (5.47%), rapid urbanization is linked to economic expansion driven by sectors such as construction and services, attracting both domestic and international migrants. Similarly, Uganda (6.15%) and Mali (5.46%) are experiencing urban growth as a result of economic policies that focus on urban development and job creation.

Conversely, countries like Ukraine (-0.29%) and Armenia (-0.26%) struggle with economic stagnation and geopolitical tensions, which deter urban growth and even lead to urban population decline as citizens seek opportunities abroad.

Year-over-Year Changes and Significant Movements

Analyzing year-over-year changes reveals significant fluctuations in urban growth rates. The Central African Republic saw the largest increase of 1.76%, a staggering 169.8% rise from its previous rate, likely reflecting recovery from civil unrest and increased urban investment. Somalia also experienced a notable rise of 1.54% (22.1%), indicating ongoing urbanization despite challenges like political instability.

On the other hand, the British Virgin Islands faced the most significant decrease, plummeting by -6.35% (-107.1%), possibly due to natural disasters or economic downturns. Slovenia and Jordan also saw substantial declines of -5.15% (-99.1%) and -4.83% (-46.9%), respectively, highlighting the volatility that can affect urban growth rates.

Policy and Urban Planning Implications

The disparities in urban growth rates underscore the critical role of policy and urban planning. Countries like Rwanda (7.33%) have leveraged urban planning to enhance infrastructure and service delivery, contributing to their high growth rates. Meanwhile, Mauritania (5.39%) benefits from policies aimed at decentralizing economic activities to reduce pressure on urban areas while encouraging balanced growth.

In contrast, countries with declining urban populations, such as Mauritius (-0.22%), must address challenges like aging populations and emigration. Effective urban policies that focus on economic revitalization and sustainable development are essential to reverse such trends and stimulate urban growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2016

Which country had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2016?

Cambodia had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2016, with a rate of 9.17%.

Which country had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2016?

Lebanon had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2016, with a rate of -2.1%.

What was the average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2016?

The average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2016 was 1.82%.

What was the median urban population annual growth rate in 2016?

The median urban population annual growth rate in 2016 was 1.69%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for urban population annual growth rate in 2016?

The top 3 countries for urban population annual growth rate in 2016 were Cambodia with 9.17%, Somalia with 8.48%, and Burundi with 7.99%.

How many countries are included in the dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2016?

The dataset includes 216 countries for urban population annual growth rate in 2016.

Insights by country

1

Algeria

In 2016, Algeria ranked #54 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 2.89623687610993 %. This growth rate is notably higher than many neighboring countries, reflecting a trend towards urbanization in the region. Key drivers include rapid urban migration fueled by economic opportunities in cities and a youthful population seeking better living standards.

2

Dominican Republic

In 2016, the Dominican Republic had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 0.994406855820273 %, ranking #138 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is slightly below the average urban growth rates seen in the Caribbean region, indicating a moderate pace of urbanization compared to its neighbors. Key drivers of this growth include ongoing economic development and rural-to-urban migration as people seek better employment opportunities in cities.

3

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic ranked #176 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 0.106479713972685 % in 2016. This growth rate is notably lower compared to many neighboring countries, reflecting a broader trend of urbanization across Central Europe. Contributing factors include a stable economy and a relatively high standard of living, which tend to reduce the urgency for rural migration to urban areas. Additionally, the country's strong infrastructure and public services in cities may lead to a more balanced population distribution.

4

Central African Republic

In 2016, the Central African Republic had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 2.79711059597392 %, ranking #58 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is notable compared to many neighboring countries, reflecting a trend of urbanization across the region. Key drivers include ongoing internal displacement due to conflict, which has led many to seek refuge in urban areas, and a young population that is increasingly migrating to cities for better economic opportunities.

5

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde ranked #104 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.70726295941253 % in 2016. This growth rate is notable when compared to the global average, reflecting a trend of increasing urbanization in many developing nations.

The primary drivers of this urban growth in Cabo Verde include ongoing economic development, particularly in tourism and services, as well as a young population migrating towards urban centers for better opportunities. Additionally, the country's geographic constraints encourage urban concentration, as its islands limit the availability of land for expansion.

6

Cayman Islands

In 2016, the Cayman Islands achieved a global rank of #72 with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 2.33773131582921 %. This growth rate is notable when compared to the global average, indicating a trend towards urbanization in the region. Key drivers include the islands' robust tourism sector and financial services industry, which attract both expatriates and locals to urban centers.

7

Saint Martin (French part)

In 2016, Saint Martin (French part) had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -0.520499136043373 %, ranking #200 out of 216 countries. This negative growth contrasts sharply with many Caribbean nations that typically experience urbanization trends driven by tourism and economic opportunities. Contributing factors to this decline include the island's limited economic diversification and the aftermath of natural disasters, which have impacted both population stability and urban infrastructure.

8

Niger

Niger's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2016 was 4.20199301063325 %, ranking the country #26 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting a trend of rapid urbanization in the region. Key drivers include economic opportunities in urban areas, as well as a young and growing population seeking better living conditions and services.

9

Liechtenstein

In 2016, Liechtenstein had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 0.77206265860395 %, ranking #146 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is relatively modest compared to its neighbor Switzerland, which has a higher urbanization pace. The slow urban growth in Liechtenstein can be attributed to its small geographic size and stable population, as well as a strong emphasis on maintaining its rural character and quality of life.

10

Lithuania

In 2016, Lithuania had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -1.22509915810133 %, ranking #210 out of 216 countries. This decline contrasts sharply with many neighboring countries in the Baltic region, which have seen stable urban growth. Contributing factors include a shrinking population due to emigration and low birth rates, as well as economic challenges that have hindered urban development initiatives.

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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