Urban Population Annual Growth Rate 2024

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
Burundi flag
Burundi
7.863 %
2
Qatar flag
Qatar
7.361 %
3
Chad flag
Chad
7.205 %
4
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
5.647 %
5
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
5.356 %
6
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
4.998 %
7
Niger flag
Niger
4.952 %
8
Uganda flag
Uganda
4.925 %
9
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
4.911 %
10
Mali flag
Mali
4.872 %
11
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
4.857 %
12
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
4.82 %
13
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
4.811 %
14
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
4.523 %
15
Somalia flag
Somalia
4.487 %
16
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
4.372 %
17
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
4.368 %
18
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
4.342 %
19
Oman flag
Oman
4.339 %
20
Malawi flag
Malawi
4.291 %
21
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
4.199 %
22
Angola flag
Angola
4.188 %
23
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
4.073 %
24
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
4.068 %
25
Benin flag
Benin
3.995 %
26
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
3.845 %
27
Zambia flag
Zambia
3.788 %
28
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
3.726 %
29
Yemen flag
Yemen
3.628 %
30
Guinea flag
Guinea
3.521 %
31
Togo flag
Togo
3.496 %
32
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
3.49 %
33
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
3.432 %
34
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
3.363 %
35
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
3.35 %
36
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
3.341 %
37
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
3.3 %
38
Senegal flag
Senegal
3.299 %
39
Laos flag
Laos
3.268 %
40
Canada flag
Canada
3.196 %
41
Namibia flag
Namibia
3.142 %
42
Liberia flag
Liberia
3.136 %
43
Georgia flag
Georgia
3.114 %
44
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
3.109 %
45
Comoros flag
Comoros
3.058 %
46
Gambia flag
Gambia
3.054 %
47
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
3.002 %
48
Malta flag
Malta
2.9 %
49
Ghana flag
Ghana
2.836 %
50
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
2.82 %
51
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
2.782 %
52
Kenya flag
Kenya
2.778 %
53
Congo flag
Congo
2.749 %
54
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
2.725 %
55
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
2.693 %
56
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
2.661 %
57
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
2.619 %
58
Honduras flag
Honduras
2.491 %
59
Armenia flag
Armenia
2.484 %
60
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
2.418 %
61
Gabon flag
Gabon
2.402 %
62
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
2.388 %
63
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
2.37 %
64
Botswana flag
Botswana
2.291 %
65
Haiti flag
Haiti
2.228 %
66
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
2.206 %
67
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
2.162 %
68
Iraq flag
Iraq
2.15 %
69
Algeria flag
Algeria
2.127 %
70
Australia flag
Australia
2.116 %
71
Singapore flag
Singapore
1.994 %
72
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
1.975 %
73
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
1.975 %
74
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
1.967 %
75
Egypt flag
Egypt
1.945 %
76
Ireland flag
Ireland
1.935 %
77
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
1.924 %
78
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
1.897 %
79
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
1.878 %
80
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
1.838 %
81
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
1.824 %
82
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
1.824 %
83
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
1.794 %
84
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
1.792 %
85
India flag
India
1.774 %
86
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
1.772 %
87
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
1.75 %
88
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
1.738 %
89
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
1.629 %
90
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
1.62 %
91
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
1.62 %
92
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
1.58 %
93
Peru flag
Peru
1.577 %
94
Israel flag
Israel
1.573 %
95
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
1.571 %
96
Maldives flag
Maldives
1.513 %
97
Iran flag
Iran
1.501 %
98
Thailand flag
Thailand
1.474 %
99
Panama flag
Panama
1.472 %
100
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
1.448 %
101
South Africa flag
South Africa
1.421 %
102
Philippines flag
Philippines
1.419 %
103
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
1.414 %
104
Andorra flag
Andorra
1.403 %
105
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
1.4 %
106
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
1.396 %
107
Colombia flag
Colombia
1.388 %
108
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
1.358 %
109
Fiji flag
Fiji
1.299 %
110
Portugal flag
Portugal
1.297 %
111
Jordan flag
Jordan
1.277 %
112
Norway flag
Norway
1.259 %
113
Spain flag
Spain
1.254 %
114
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
1.246 %
115
Mexico flag
Mexico
1.213 %
116
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
1.201 %
117
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
1.195 %
118
Morocco flag
Morocco
1.174 %
119
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
1.099 %
120
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
1.066 %
121
Libya flag
Libya
1.05 %
122
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
1.03 %
123
United States flag
United States
1.027 %
124
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
1.019 %
125
Sudan flag
Sudan
1.013 %
126
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
0.997 %
127
Finland flag
Finland
0.99 %
128
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
0.989 %
129
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
0.981 %
130
Belize flag
Belize
0.98 %
131
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
0.977 %
132
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
0.948 %
133
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
0.923 %
134
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
0.921 %
135
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
0.899 %
136
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
0.897 %
137
Suriname flag
Suriname
0.89 %
138
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
0.872 %
139
Austria flag
Austria
0.85 %
140
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
0.838 %
141
North Korea flag
North Korea
0.808 %
142
Guam flag
Guam
0.801 %
143
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
0.795 %
144
Chile flag
Chile
0.739 %
145
Belgium flag
Belgium
0.735 %
146
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
0.734 %
147
Brazil flag
Brazil
0.724 %
148
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
0.722 %
149
Denmark flag
Denmark
0.666 %
150
Croatia flag
Croatia
0.644 %
151
Samoa flag
Samoa
0.634 %
152
Guyana flag
Guyana
0.619 %
153
Nauru flag
Nauru
0.604 %
154
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
0.593 %
155
Turkey flag
Turkey
0.587 %
156
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
0.572 %
157
Sweden flag
Sweden
0.567 %
158
Aruba flag
Aruba
0.518 %
159
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
0.478 %
160
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
0.465 %
161
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
0.458 %
162
Argentina flag
Argentina
0.432 %
163
China flag
China
0.432 %
164
Germany flag
Germany
0.419 %
165
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
0.418 %
166
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
0.418 %
167
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
0.41 %
168
Grenada flag
Grenada
0.383 %
169
San Marino flag
San Marino
0.37 %
170
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
0.312 %
171
France flag
France
0.287 %
172
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
0.281 %
173
Greece flag
Greece
0.26 %
174
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
0.255 %
175
Iceland flag
Iceland
0.25 %
176
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
0.245 %
177
Barbados flag
Barbados
0.242 %
178
Greenland flag
Greenland
0.239 %
179
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
0.214 %
180
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
0.212 %
181
Nepal flag
Nepal
0.197 %
182
Estonia flag
Estonia
0.18 %
183
Dominica flag
Dominica
0.132 %
184
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
0.105 %
185
South Korea flag
South Korea
0.079 %
186
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
0.074 %
187
Russia flag
Russia
0.066 %
188
Italy flag
Italy
0.042 %
189
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
0.041 %
190
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
0.013 %
191
Hungary flag
Hungary
-0.031 %
192
Romania flag
Romania
-0.043 %
193
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
-0.043 %
194
Belarus flag
Belarus
-0.068 %
195
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
-0.084 %
196
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
-0.096 %
197
Palau flag
Palau
-0.107 %
198
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
-0.159 %
199
Serbia flag
Serbia
-0.171 %
200
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
-0.199 %
201
Poland flag
Poland
-0.209 %
202
Cuba flag
Cuba
-0.312 %
203
Japan flag
Japan
-0.319 %
204
Tonga flag
Tonga
-0.39 %
205
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
-0.425 %
206
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
-0.456 %
207
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
-0.639 %
208
Latvia flag
Latvia
-0.755 %
209
Monaco flag
Monaco
-0.838 %
210
Albania flag
Albania
-0.867 %
211
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
-1.092 %
212
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
-1.825 %
213
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
-2.13 %
214
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
-2.874 %
215
Kosovo flag
Kosovo
-2.956 %
216
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
-5.169 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Burundi flagBurundi
  2. #2Qatar flagQatar
  3. #3Chad flagChad
  4. #4Rwanda flagRwanda
  5. #5South Sudan flagSouth Sudan
  6. #6Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  7. #7Niger flagNiger
  8. #8Uganda flagUganda
  9. #9Mozambique flagMozambique
  10. #10Mali flagMali

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #216Saint Martin (French part) flagSaint Martin (French part)
  2. #215Kosovo flagKosovo
  3. #214Marshall Islands flagMarshall Islands
  4. #213American Samoa flagAmerican Samoa
  5. #212Northern Mariana Islands flagNorthern Mariana Islands
  6. #211Republic of Moldova flagRepublic of Moldova
  7. #210Albania flagAlbania
  8. #209Monaco flagMonaco
  9. #208Latvia flagLatvia
  10. #207Tuvalu flagTuvalu

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

Analysis & Context

In 2024, the country with the highest Urban Population Annual Growth Rate is Burundi, with a staggering rate of 7.86%. The global range for this metric spans from a minimum of -0.20% to the maximum in Burundi. The average growth rate worldwide is 1.86%, providing a benchmark for comparison among the 200 countries analyzed.

Drivers of High Urban Population Growth

The significant urban growth rates observed in countries like Burundi (7.86%), Qatar (7.36%), and Chad (7.21%) can often be attributed to a combination of rapid economic transformation, demographic shifts, and urbanization policies. In Qatar, for example, the high growth rate is largely driven by an influx of expatriates and ongoing infrastructural developments, which attract both international and domestic migrants to urban areas.

In African nations such as Burundi and Chad, urban growth is propelled by a young and expanding population, coupled with rural-urban migration. These countries are experiencing significant demographic changes, where a large proportion of the population is moving to cities in search of better economic opportunities and living standards.

Understanding Negative Growth Rates

At the other end of the spectrum, countries like Mauritius (-0.20%), Serbia (-0.17%), and China, Hong Kong SAR (-0.16%) exhibit negative urban population growth rates. These declines can often be linked to factors such as aging populations, economic stagnation, or a reversal in migration trends.

For instance, Hong Kong has faced economic uncertainties and social challenges that may have contributed to a decrease in its urban population. Similarly, Mauritius and Serbia are experiencing demographic shifts with lower birth rates and higher emigration rates, leading to a net decline in urban population.

Significant Year-over-Year Changes

Analyzing year-over-year changes reveals some dramatic shifts. Qatar experienced a remarkable increase of 7.37% in its urban population growth rate, highlighting its ongoing urban expansion and economic activities. On the other hand, Kuwait saw the most substantial decrease, with its rate dropping by 4.69%. This decline could be attributed to policy changes affecting expatriate populations or adjustments in national development strategies.

Other notable changes include Armenia (+2.45%) and Central African Republic (+2.34%), where increased urbanization efforts and infrastructure developments are likely contributing factors. Conversely, Singapore and Bahrain saw significant declines of 2.86% and 2.64% respectively, potentially due to tightened immigration policies or shifts in economic conditions.

Implications of Urban Population Trends

The varying urban population growth rates across the globe carry significant implications for economic development, infrastructure planning, and social policies. Countries with high growth rates, like Burundi and Qatar, must manage the challenges of rapid urbanization, including the need for sustainable housing, transportation, and public services. On the other hand, nations with declining urban populations, such as Mauritius and Serbia, face challenges related to economic vitality and maintaining urban infrastructure with a shrinking tax base.

Understanding these trends helps policymakers anticipate future needs and challenges, ensuring that urban areas can sustainably support their populations while fostering economic growth and social well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Population Annual Growth Rate in 2024

Which country has the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2024?

Burundi has the highest urban population annual growth rate in 2024, with a rate of 7.86%.

Which country has the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2024?

Saint Martin (French part) has the lowest urban population annual growth rate in 2024, with a rate of -5.17%.

What is the average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2024?

The average urban population annual growth rate across all countries in 2024 is 1.62%.

What is the median urban population annual growth rate for countries in 2024?

The median urban population annual growth rate for countries in 2024 is 1.33%.

Which countries are in the top 3 for urban population annual growth rate in 2024?

The top 3 countries for urban population annual growth rate in 2024 are Burundi (7.86%), Qatar (7.36%), and Chad (7.21%).

How many countries are included in the dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2024?

The dataset for urban population annual growth rate in 2024 includes 216 countries.

Insights by country

1

China, Macao SAR

In 2024, China, Macao SAR ranks #116 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.2007758862278 %. This growth rate is lower than the global average, indicating a trend towards urban stabilization compared to rapidly urbanizing regions. The growth is driven by Macao's economic diversification and tourism sector expansion, which attract a steady influx of residents seeking employment opportunities.

2

Malta

In 2024, Malta's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate stands at 2.89960232342784 %, ranking #48 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting Malta's increasing urbanization compared to many other nations. Key drivers include a robust tourism sector and a growing economy that attract both residents and expatriates to urban areas, particularly in cities like Valletta and Sliema.

3

Belgium

In 2024, Belgium ranks #145 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 0.735388565890222 %. This growth rate is relatively low compared to many neighboring countries, reflecting a trend seen across much of Western Europe. Key drivers behind this statistic include Belgium's stable urban infrastructure and demographic shifts, as well as a focus on sustainable urban development policies that prioritize quality of life over rapid expansion.

4

Eritrea

Eritrea ranks #105 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.39983878920535 % in 2024. This rate is relatively low compared to many countries in the region, reflecting a slower urbanization process than in neighboring Ethiopia, which has higher growth rates. Key drivers of Eritrea's urban population growth include limited economic opportunities in urban areas and ongoing political factors that affect migration patterns.

5

Eswatini

In 2024, Eswatini's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate is 2.69288262130869 %, ranking #55 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is notable as it surpasses the average urban growth rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting a trend towards urbanization in the region.

The key drivers of this growth in Eswatini include increasing economic opportunities in urban areas and ongoing rural-to-urban migration as citizens seek better living conditions and employment prospects. Additionally, government policies aimed at improving infrastructure and services in cities further support this urban expansion.

6

Paraguay

In 2024, Paraguay ranks #72 globally with an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 1.97522945625298 %. This growth rate is slightly below the average for South America, indicating a moderate urbanization trend compared to its neighbors. Key drivers of this growth include ongoing economic development and rural-to-urban migration as people seek better job opportunities and living conditions in urban areas.

7

San Marino

In 2024, San Marino has an Urban Population Annual Growth Rate of 0.370258389608805 %, ranking #169 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is relatively low compared to many other nations, reflecting the country's stable population dynamics. Factors such as limited geographic space and a small population contribute to this modest growth, alongside economic conditions that influence urban migration patterns.

8

Turkey

In 2024, Turkey's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate is 0.587160894947427 %, ranking it #155 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is lower than many of its regional neighbors, reflecting broader trends in urbanization across the Middle East and North Africa. Key drivers for Turkey’s urban growth include ongoing economic development and migration from rural areas, as people seek better employment opportunities in cities.

9

Austria

In 2024, Austria's Urban Population Annual Growth Rate is 0.849927327322192 %, ranking #139 out of 216 countries. This growth rate is modest compared to many neighboring countries, reflecting a stable urbanization trend in Central Europe. Factors contributing to this statistic include Austria's high standard of living, which attracts urban migration, and a well-developed infrastructure that supports urban expansion.

10

Rwanda

In 2024, Rwanda ranks #4 globally for Urban Population Annual Growth Rate at 5.64716525959838 %. This growth rate is significantly higher than many regional neighbors, reflecting a trend of rapid urbanization across the country. Key drivers include government policies promoting urban development and economic opportunities in cities, alongside a youthful demographic that is increasingly migrating to urban areas for better livelihoods.

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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