Urban Population Annual Growth Rate 2021

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•

Interactive Map

Loading interactive map...

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
8.524 %
2
Burundi flag
Burundi
8.476 %
3
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
6.515 %
4
Uganda flag
Uganda
5.628 %
5
Chad flag
Chad
5.434 %
6
Mali flag
Mali
5.391 %
7
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
4.871 %
8
Somalia flag
Somalia
4.836 %
9
Senegal flag
Senegal
4.804 %
10
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
4.715 %
11
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
4.554 %
12
Niger flag
Niger
4.548 %
13
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
4.485 %
14
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
4.454 %
15
Angola flag
Angola
4.354 %
16
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
4.104 %
17
Benin flag
Benin
4.098 %
18
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
4.083 %
19
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
4.022 %
20
Namibia flag
Namibia
3.998 %
21
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
3.872 %
22
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
3.869 %
23
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
3.866 %
24
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
3.848 %
25
Yemen flag
Yemen
3.77 %
26
Malawi flag
Malawi
3.766 %
27
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
3.695 %
28
Zambia flag
Zambia
3.657 %
29
Maldives flag
Maldives
3.598 %
30
Guinea flag
Guinea
3.515 %
31
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
3.474 %
32
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
3.432 %
33
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
3.401 %
34
Laos flag
Laos
3.389 %
35
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
3.325 %
36
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
3.298 %
37
Gambia flag
Gambia
3.245 %
38
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
3.205 %
39
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
3.204 %
40
Liberia flag
Liberia
3.107 %
41
Comoros flag
Comoros
3.058 %
42
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
3.057 %
43
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
3.014 %
44
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
2.998 %
45
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
2.994 %
46
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
2.977 %
47
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
2.976 %
48
Sudan flag
Sudan
2.933 %
49
Togo flag
Togo
2.911 %
50
Ghana flag
Ghana
2.806 %
51
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
2.801 %
52
Gabon flag
Gabon
2.792 %
53
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
2.76 %
54
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
2.695 %
55
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
2.566 %
56
Kosovo flag
Kosovo
2.547 %
57
Honduras flag
Honduras
2.519 %
58
Congo flag
Congo
2.46 %
59
Algeria flag
Algeria
2.391 %
60
Thailand flag
Thailand
2.319 %
61
Haiti flag
Haiti
2.318 %
62
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
2.289 %
63
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
2.253 %
64
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
2.251 %
65
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
2.25 %
66
Iraq flag
Iraq
2.241 %
67
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
2.233 %
68
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
2.181 %
69
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
2.169 %
70
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
2.169 %
71
Kenya flag
Kenya
2.161 %
72
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
2.161 %
73
Jordan flag
Jordan
2.156 %
74
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
2.119 %
75
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
2.052 %
76
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
2.032 %
77
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
2.032 %
78
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
2.025 %
79
China flag
China
1.957 %
80
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
1.908 %
81
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
1.876 %
82
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
1.844 %
83
Nepal flag
Nepal
1.799 %
84
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
1.761 %
85
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
1.76 %
86
India flag
India
1.738 %
87
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
1.736 %
88
Ireland flag
Ireland
1.72 %
89
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
1.718 %
90
Iceland flag
Iceland
1.718 %
91
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
1.648 %
92
Israel flag
Israel
1.634 %
93
Egypt flag
Egypt
1.609 %
94
Botswana flag
Botswana
1.596 %
95
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
1.564 %
96
South Africa flag
South Africa
1.561 %
97
Philippines flag
Philippines
1.537 %
98
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
1.502 %
99
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
1.466 %
100
Peru flag
Peru
1.465 %
101
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
1.448 %
102
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
1.406 %
103
Morocco flag
Morocco
1.367 %
104
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
1.364 %
105
Iran flag
Iran
1.351 %
106
Colombia flag
Colombia
1.348 %
107
Andorra flag
Andorra
1.345 %
108
Libya flag
Libya
1.276 %
109
Monaco flag
Monaco
1.246 %
110
Panama flag
Panama
1.242 %
111
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
1.214 %
112
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
1.192 %
113
Turkey flag
Turkey
1.187 %
114
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
1.108 %
115
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
1.081 %
116
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
1.058 %
117
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
1.047 %
118
Guyana flag
Guyana
1.021 %
119
Fiji flag
Fiji
1.018 %
120
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
0.996 %
121
Mexico flag
Mexico
0.99 %
122
Guam flag
Guam
0.973 %
123
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
0.953 %
124
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
0.95 %
125
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
0.942 %
126
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
0.922 %
127
Suriname flag
Suriname
0.872 %
128
Sweden flag
Sweden
0.864 %
129
Malta flag
Malta
0.861 %
130
North Korea flag
North Korea
0.831 %
131
Canada flag
Canada
0.83 %
132
Greenland flag
Greenland
0.806 %
133
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
0.79 %
134
Austria flag
Austria
0.774 %
135
Norway flag
Norway
0.726 %
136
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
0.715 %
137
Brazil flag
Brazil
0.684 %
138
Chile flag
Chile
0.635 %
139
Portugal flag
Portugal
0.612 %
140
Finland flag
Finland
0.598 %
141
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
0.576 %
142
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
0.57 %
143
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
0.566 %
144
Nauru flag
Nauru
0.565 %
145
Belgium flag
Belgium
0.565 %
146
Belize flag
Belize
0.544 %
147
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
0.538 %
148
Estonia flag
Estonia
0.529 %
149
Grenada flag
Grenada
0.514 %
150
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
0.463 %
151
Denmark flag
Denmark
0.459 %
152
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
0.412 %
153
France flag
France
0.388 %
154
Argentina flag
Argentina
0.359 %
155
Georgia flag
Georgia
0.347 %
156
Armenia flag
Armenia
0.308 %
157
Spain flag
Spain
0.29 %
158
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
0.282 %
159
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
0.259 %
160
Germany flag
Germany
0.242 %
161
Barbados flag
Barbados
0.194 %
162
United States flag
United States
0.17 %
163
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
0.165 %
164
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
0.125 %
165
Australia flag
Australia
0.1 %
166
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
0.069 %
167
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
0.066 %
168
Dominica flag
Dominica
0.025 %
169
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
-0.014 %
170
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
-0.015 %
171
Palau flag
Palau
-0.043 %
172
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
-0.099 %
173
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
-0.127 %
174
South Korea flag
South Korea
-0.146 %
175
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
-0.175 %
176
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
-0.188 %
177
Russia flag
Russia
-0.265 %
178
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
-0.321 %
179
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
-0.33 %
180
Oman flag
Oman
-0.356 %
181
Japan flag
Japan
-0.359 %
182
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
-0.362 %
183
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-0.389 %
184
Belarus flag
Belarus
-0.389 %
185
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
-0.424 %
186
Croatia flag
Croatia
-0.481 %
187
Cuba flag
Cuba
-0.498 %
188
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
-0.53 %
189
Hungary flag
Hungary
-0.531 %
190
Italy flag
Italy
-0.57 %
191
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-0.631 %
192
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
-0.634 %
193
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
-0.687 %
194
Serbia flag
Serbia
-0.714 %
195
Latvia flag
Latvia
-0.756 %
196
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
-0.83 %
197
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
-0.889 %
198
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
-0.899 %
199
Albania flag
Albania
-0.903 %
200
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
-0.912 %
201
Aruba flag
Aruba
-0.942 %
202
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
-0.981 %
203
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
-1.061 %
204
Greece flag
Greece
-1.104 %
205
Romania flag
Romania
-1.471 %
206
San Marino flag
San Marino
-1.498 %
207
Poland flag
Poland
-1.541 %
208
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
-1.584 %
209
Samoa flag
Samoa
-1.857 %
210
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
-1.873 %
211
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
-2.268 %
212
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
-2.758 %
213
Tonga flag
Tonga
-3.069 %
214
Singapore flag
Singapore
-4.17 %
215
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
-5.913 %
216
Qatar flag
Qatar
-10.885 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Rwanda flagRwanda
  2. #2Burundi flagBurundi
  3. #3Saint Lucia flagSaint Lucia
  4. #4Uganda flagUganda
  5. #5Chad flagChad
  6. #6Mali flagMali
  7. #7Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  8. #8Somalia flagSomalia
  9. #9Senegal flagSenegal
  10. #10Solomon Islands flagSolomon Islands

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #216Qatar flagQatar
  2. #215Saint Martin (French part) flagSaint Martin (French part)
  3. #214Singapore flagSingapore
  4. #213Tonga flagTonga
  5. #212Marshall Islands flagMarshall Islands
  6. #211Saudi Arabia flagSaudi Arabia
  7. #210Czech Republic flagCzech Republic
  8. #209Samoa flagSamoa
  9. #208American Samoa flagAmerican Samoa
  10. #207Poland flagPoland

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

Analysis & Context

In 2021, Rwanda led the world with the highest Urban Population Annual Growth Rate at 8.52%, while China, Hong Kong SAR recorded the lowest at -0.91%. The global range for this metric underscores the diverse urbanization trends across different countries. The average global growth rate was 1.70%, providing a baseline for understanding urban expansion dynamics worldwide.

Understanding High Urban Growth Rates

The countries with the highest urban population growth rates, such as Rwanda (8.52%), Burundi (8.48%), and Saint Lucia (6.51%), often experience these trends due to a combination of factors including economic development, rural-to-urban migration, and demographic shifts. In East Africa, economic expansion and improved infrastructure have drawn rural populations to urban centers in search of better opportunities. For instance, Rwanda's significant growth can be attributed to its strategic economic reforms and investments in urban areas, which have attracted both local and foreign investments.

In contrast, island nations like Saint Lucia experience high urban growth due to limited land availability, which concentrates populations in urban areas. This trend is often driven by tourism and associated service industries that flourish in urban settings, drawing more people into cities.

Factors Behind Low or Negative Growth Rates

On the other end of the spectrum, countries with negative growth rates such as China, Hong Kong SAR (-0.91%), Albania (-0.90%), and Kuwait (-0.90%) face different challenges. In many cases, these are regions experiencing economic stagnation, political instability, or significant emigration. For example, Hong Kong has witnessed a complex interplay of political factors and economic pressures that have led to a slowdown in urban growth.

Moreover, Eastern European countries like Ukraine (-0.83%) and Latvia (-0.76%) are dealing with population decline due to high emigration rates and low birth rates, which contribute to negative urban population growth.

Year-over-Year Movers: Analyzing the Shifts

Examining the year-over-year changes provides further insight into global urbanization patterns. Bahrain saw the largest increase in urban population growth rate with a jump of 2.94%, indicating a substantial economic and infrastructural development that likely attracted a surge of new residents. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates experienced a significant increase of 2.30%, driven by continued investment in urban development and an expanding expatriate workforce.

Conversely, China, Macao SAR registered the most substantial decline at -2.40%, reflecting economic adjustments and policy shifts that may have affected migration patterns. Meanwhile, New Zealand and Malta experienced decreases of -1.78% and -1.67% respectively, potentially due to stringent immigration policies and natural population constraints.

The Broader Implications of Urban Growth Rates

The urban population annual growth rate is a crucial indicator of a country's socio-economic trajectory. High growth rates in countries like Rwanda and Uganda (5.63%) suggest burgeoning urban economies and potential future hubs for investment and innovation. However, these rapid changes also pose challenges, such as the need for sustainable infrastructure development and adequate public services.

On the other hand, countries experiencing low or negative growth, such as Serbia (-0.71%) and Venezuela (-0.69%), may need to address underlying issues such as economic policies, political stability, and demographic trends to reverse these patterns. Understanding these dynamics is essential for policymakers and investors looking to navigate the complexities of global urbanization.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2021

Which country had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2021?

Rwanda had the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2021, with an increase of 8.52%.

Which country had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2021?

Qatar had the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2021, with a decrease of 10.89%.

What was the average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2021?

The average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2021 was 1.38%.

What was the median urban population annual growth rate in 2021?

The median urban population annual growth rate in 2021 was 1.26%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for urban population annual growth rate in 2021?

The top 3 countries for urban population annual growth rate in 2021 were Rwanda (8.52%), Burundi (8.48%), and Saint Lucia (6.51%).

What was the range of urban population annual growth rates in 2021?

The range of urban population annual growth rates in 2021 spanned from Rwanda's 8.52% increase to Qatar's 10.89% decrease.

Insights by country

1

Tonga

Tonga's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2021 was -3.06946312753698 %, ranking it #213 out of 216 countries. This negative growth rate contrasts sharply with many Pacific Island nations that are experiencing urbanization. Contributing factors include a high emigration rate and limited economic opportunities in urban areas, which have led to a decline in urban population growth.

2

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates ranked #78 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 2.02470774513955 % in 2021. This growth rate is notable as it reflects a trend of urbanization that is higher than the global average, driven by significant economic opportunities and infrastructure development in major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Factors such as a diverse economy, a strategic location for trade, and a favorable business environment continue to attract expatriates, contributing to the urban population increase.

3

Tuvalu

In 2021, Tuvalu had an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of -0.889172069999464 %, ranking #197 out of 216 countries. This decline contrasts with many Pacific island nations that typically experience urban growth due to migration and development. The negative growth rate can be attributed to Tuvalu's geographic constraints and limited economic opportunities, which hinder urbanization and may lead to population stagnation or decline.

4

Estonia

In 2021, Estonia's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate was 0.528902118507097 %, ranking the country #148 out of 216 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to many neighboring countries in the Baltic region, which often experience higher urbanization rates. Key drivers for Estonia's urban growth include its robust digital economy attracting young professionals to urban centers and ongoing investments in infrastructure that enhance urban living conditions.

5

Burundi

In 2021, Burundi achieved a remarkable rank of #2 globally for its Urban Population Annual Growth Rate, which stood at 8.47552856935213 %. This growth rate is significantly higher than many neighboring countries and reflects a broader trend of urbanization in East Africa. Key drivers include a youthful demographic and increasing migration to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities and services.

6

Samoa

Samoa's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2021 was -1.85723015748974 %, ranking it #209 out of 216 countries. This decline contrasts sharply with many Pacific neighbors, where urbanization is generally on the rise. Contributing factors to this negative growth include limited economic opportunities in urban areas and a preference for rural living, where traditional lifestyles and community ties are stronger.

7

Saint Lucia

In 2021, Saint Lucia achieved a remarkable 3rd global rank for its Urban Population Annual Growth Rate at 6.51455823945375 %. This growth rate significantly outpaces many regional neighbors and reflects a broader trend of urbanization in the Caribbean. Key drivers include economic opportunities in urban centers and a push for improved infrastructure, which attract rural populations seeking better living conditions and employment prospects.

8

Tunisia

Tunisia's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2021 was 1.04740567976755 %, ranking it #117 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is relatively moderate compared to faster urbanization trends in neighboring countries like Algeria.

The primary drivers behind this statistic include Tunisia's ongoing economic reforms and urban migration patterns, as people move to cities for better job opportunities and living standards. Additionally, demographic shifts, such as a young population seeking education and employment, contribute to the urban growth trend.

9

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2021 was 0.462841528013771 %, ranking it #150 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is lower than many neighboring countries, indicating a slower urbanization trend compared to the European average. Contributing factors include a mature urban infrastructure and demographic shifts, such as an aging population and a focus on sustainable development policies that prioritize urban planning.

10

Benin

In 2021, Benin achieved a remarkable rank of #17 globally for its Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 4.09776573732486 %. This growth rate significantly outpaces the average for sub-Saharan Africa, indicating a rapid urbanization trend. Key drivers include ongoing economic development, as cities attract investment and infrastructure improvements, alongside a youthful demographic that is migrating towards urban centers for better opportunities.

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.

More People and Society Facts