Urban Population Share 2050 2025

Urban population share by 2050 shows urbanization trends. Discover which countries will be most urbanized.

236 data points••Global Coverage•Share of population living in urban areas projected to 2050 | Our World in Data•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Anguilla flag
Anguilla
100 %
2
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
100 %
3
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
100 %
4
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
100 %
5
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
100 %
6
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
100 %
7
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
100 %
8
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
100 %
9
Monaco flag
Monaco
100 %
10
Nauru flag
Nauru
100 %
11
Saint Barthélemy flag
Saint Barthélemy
100 %
12
Saint Martin (French part) flag
Saint Martin (French part)
100 %
13
Singapore flag
Singapore
100 %
14
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) flag
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
100 %
15
Holy See flag
Holy See
100 %
16
Qatar flag
Qatar
99.359 %
17
Réunion flag
Réunion
97.254 %
18
San Marino flag
San Marino
97.187 %
19
Martinique flag
Martinique
96.823 %
20
Guadeloupe flag
Guadeloupe
96.449 %
21
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
95.939 %
22
Malta flag
Malta
95.681 %
23
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
95.654 %
24
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
95.389 %
25
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
94.884 %
26
Mayotte flag
Mayotte
94.444 %
27
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
94.396 %
28
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
94.34 %
29
Guam flag
Guam
94.22 %
30
Iceland flag
Iceland
94.218 %
31
Jordan flag
Jordan
93.209 %
32
Argentina flag
Argentina
92.352 %
33
Japan flag
Japan
92.3 %
34
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
92.177 %
35
Gabon flag
Gabon
92.088 %
36
Israel flag
Israel
91.578 %
37
Curaçao flag
Curaçao
91.473 %
38
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
90.96 %
39
Saint Pierre and Miquelon flag
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
90.169 %
40
Turkey flag
Turkey
89.494 %
41
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
89.322 %
42
Chile flag
Chile
89.177 %
43
Sweden flag
Sweden
89.078 %
44
Andorra flag
Andorra
88.949 %
45
Denmark flag
Denmark
88.846 %
46
Greenland flag
Greenland
88.574 %
47
Brazil flag
Brazil
88.177 %
48
Libya flag
Libya
87.911 %
49
Australia flag
Australia
87.719 %
50
Belgium flag
Belgium
87.673 %
51
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
87.382 %
52
Western Sahara flag
Western Sahara
86.884 %
53
French Guiana flag
French Guiana
86.616 %
54
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
85.962 %
55
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
85.727 %
56
Peru flag
Peru
85.596 %
57
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
84.612 %
58
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
83.998 %
59
Norway flag
Norway
83.571 %
60
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
83.324 %
61
Canada flag
Canada
82.876 %
62
Germany flag
Germany
82.138 %
63
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) flag
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
81.53 %
64
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
81.331 %
65
South Korea flag
South Korea
81.174 %
66
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba flag
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
81.103 %
67
Spain flag
Spain
80.515 %
68
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
80.512 %
69
United States flag
United States
80.192 %
70
Mexico flag
Mexico
80.041 %
71
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
79.727 %
72
Belarus flag
Belarus
79.495 %
73
Oman flag
Oman
79.478 %
74
Palau flag
Palau
79.284 %
75
Greece flag
Greece
79.225 %
76
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
79.106 %
77
Taiwan flag
Taiwan
78.923 %
78
France flag
France
78.845 %
79
Colombia flag
Colombia
78.783 %
80
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
77.63 %
81
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
77.395 %
82
Iran flag
Iran
77.376 %
83
Cuba flag
Cuba
77.227 %
84
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
76.895 %
85
Algeria flag
Algeria
75.819 %
86
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
75.524 %
87
Russia flag
Russia
75.251 %
88
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
75.011 %
89
Finland flag
Finland
74.525 %
90
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
74.173 %
91
Dominica flag
Dominica
73.986 %
92
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
72.976 %
93
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
72.875 %
94
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
72.518 %
95
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
72.084 %
96
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
71.576 %
97
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
71.563 %
98
Angola flag
Angola
71.462 %
99
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
71.145 %
100
Estonia flag
Estonia
70.721 %
101
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
70.703 %
102
Hungary flag
Hungary
70.694 %
103
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
70.39 %
104
Iraq flag
Iraq
69.94 %
105
Austria flag
Austria
69.715 %
106
Italy flag
Italy
69.681 %
107
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
69.595 %
108
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
69.172 %
109
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
69.082 %
110
Latvia flag
Latvia
68.633 %
111
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
68.172 %
112
Botswana flag
Botswana
67.956 %
113
Nepal flag
Nepal
66.999 %
114
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
66.695 %
115
China flag
China
66.343 %
116
Panama flag
Panama
66.15 %
117
Armenia flag
Armenia
65.929 %
118
Suriname flag
Suriname
65.789 %
119
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
65.609 %
120
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
65.448 %
121
Gambia flag
Gambia
64.988 %
122
Ireland flag
Ireland
64.588 %
123
North Korea flag
North Korea
64.19 %
124
Congo flag
Congo
64.124 %
125
South Africa flag
South Africa
63.815 %
126
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
63.775 %
127
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
63.392 %
128
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
63.385 %
129
Morocco flag
Morocco
63.128 %
130
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
62.891 %
131
Thailand flag
Thailand
62.799 %
132
Serbia flag
Serbia
62.638 %
133
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
62.386 %
134
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
61.758 %
135
Aruba flag
Aruba
61.749 %
136
Portugal flag
Portugal
61.495 %
137
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
61.489 %
138
Georgia flag
Georgia
61.178 %
139
Poland flag
Poland
60.085 %
140
Barbados flag
Barbados
59.7 %
141
Fiji flag
Fiji
59.544 %
142
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
59.444 %
143
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
59.425 %
144
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
59.393 %
145
Honduras flag
Honduras
59.252 %
146
Ghana flag
Ghana
58.925 %
147
Albania flag
Albania
58.871 %
148
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
58.637 %
149
Croatia flag
Croatia
57.814 %
150
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
57.395 %
151
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
56.297 %
152
Liberia flag
Liberia
56.082 %
153
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
55.991 %
154
Philippines flag
Philippines
55.773 %
155
Senegal flag
Senegal
55.767 %
156
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
55.669 %
157
Haiti flag
Haiti
55.615 %
158
Somalia flag
Somalia
55.14 %
159
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
54.549 %
160
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
53.97 %
161
Benin flag
Benin
53.362 %
162
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
53.194 %
163
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
52.692 %
164
Romania flag
Romania
52.173 %
165
Isle of Man flag
Isle of Man
52.136 %
166
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
51.017 %
167
Namibia flag
Namibia
50.867 %
168
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
47.981 %
169
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
47.105 %
170
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
46.651 %
171
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
45.927 %
172
Zambia flag
Zambia
45.917 %
173
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
45.483 %
174
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
45.114 %
175
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
44.67 %
176
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
44.553 %
177
Togo flag
Togo
44.395 %
178
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
43.734 %
179
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
43.43 %
180
Egypt flag
Egypt
42.904 %
181
Maldives flag
Maldives
42.506 %
182
Belize flag
Belize
41.562 %
183
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
41.106 %
184
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
40.495 %
185
Laos flag
Laos
40.313 %
186
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
39.643 %
187
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
39.526 %
188
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
39.037 %
189
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
38.83 %
190
Guinea flag
Guinea
38.517 %
191
Saint Helena flag
Saint Helena
37.233 %
192
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
37.208 %
193
Niue flag
Niue
37.194 %
194
Yemen flag
Yemen
37.034 %
195
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
36.883 %
196
Grenada flag
Grenada
36.671 %
197
India flag
India
35.689 %
198
Sudan flag
Sudan
34.935 %
199
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
34.746 %
200
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
34.54 %
201
Jersey flag
Jersey
34.533 %
202
Comoros flag
Comoros
33.942 %
203
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
33.24 %
204
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
32.902 %
205
Mali flag
Mali
32.213 %
206
Kenya flag
Kenya
32.212 %
207
Uganda flag
Uganda
31.94 %
208
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
31.899 %
209
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
31.309 %
210
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
30.913 %
211
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
30.584 %
212
Guernsey flag
Guernsey
29.595 %
213
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
29.097 %
214
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
28.923 %
215
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
28.786 %
216
Chad flag
Chad
27.566 %
217
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
26.721 %
218
Guyana flag
Guyana
26.491 %
219
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
26.165 %
220
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
25.94 %
221
Burundi flag
Burundi
25.687 %
222
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
24.333 %
223
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
24.11 %
224
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
22.481 %
225
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
22.322 %
226
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
21.684 %
227
Tonga flag
Tonga
21.156 %
228
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
20.45 %
229
Niger flag
Niger
18.374 %
230
Malawi flag
Malawi
17.595 %
231
Samoa flag
Samoa
17.506 %
232
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
15.78 %
233
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
14.63 %
234
Montserrat flag
Montserrat
8.98 %
235
Tokelau flag
Tokelau
0 %
236
Wallis and Futuna Islands flag
Wallis and Futuna Islands
0 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Anguilla flagAnguilla
  2. #2Bahrain flagBahrain
  3. #3Bermuda flagBermuda
  4. #4Cayman Islands flagCayman Islands
  5. #5Gibraltar flagGibraltar
  6. #6China, Hong Kong SAR flagChina, Hong Kong SAR
  7. #7Kuwait flagKuwait
  8. #8China, Macao SAR flagChina, Macao SAR
  9. #9Monaco flagMonaco
  10. #10Nauru flagNauru

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #236Wallis and Futuna Islands flagWallis and Futuna Islands
  2. #235Tokelau flagTokelau
  3. #234Montserrat flagMontserrat
  4. #233Liechtenstein flagLiechtenstein
  5. #232Papua New Guinea flagPapua New Guinea
  6. #231Samoa flagSamoa
  7. #230Malawi flagMalawi
  8. #229Niger flagNiger
  9. #228Sri Lanka flagSri Lanka
  10. #227Tonga flagTonga

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

Analysis & Context

As of 2025, the Urban Population Share 2050 reveals that Bermuda, along with several other regions, leads with a perfect 100% urbanization rate, while the global range spans from a minimum of 34.54% in Eritrea to a maximum of 100% in various countries. The average global urban population share for 2050 is projected at 70.75%, highlighting significant urbanization trends worldwide.

Exploring Maximum Urbanization: 100% Urban Population Share

The data shows that ten countries or regions, including Bermuda, Bahrain, and Kuwait, are anticipated to reach a total urban population by 2050. This phenomenon is often driven by limited geographical space combined with strong economic incentives that support urban infrastructure development. For instance, Bahrain and Kuwait benefit from substantial oil revenues that enable investments in urban planning and development. Additionally, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR are densely populated regions with economies heavily reliant on service sectors, necessitating a fully urbanized environment to function efficiently.

Challenges in Urbanization: Countries with Low Urban Population Share

At the other end of the spectrum, countries like Eritrea (34.54%), Sudan (34.93%), and India (35.69%) are projected to have low urban population shares by 2050. Several factors contribute to this, including slower economic growth, high rural population retention, and limited infrastructure development. In India, despite rapid urbanization in certain cities, a significant portion of the population remains in rural areas due to cultural ties and agricultural dependency. Similarly, countries like Tanzania and Yemen face economic and political challenges that hinder large-scale urban migration and development.

Urbanization Trends and Year-over-Year Changes

The average year-over-year change in urban population share is 0.24%, indicating a gradual shift towards urban living globally. Notably, Lesotho (+0.99%), Thailand (+0.93%), and Kiribati (+0.92%) exhibit the largest increases. This growth can be attributed to economic reforms and investments in urban infrastructure, which attract rural populations to cities. For instance, Thailand's economic diversification efforts have led to increased urban employment opportunities, driving urbanization.

Conversely, regions like American Samoa (-0.43%) and Belize (-0.19%) show declining urban population shares. These decreases may be due to emigration or a reclassification of urban areas. In American Samoa, for example, outmigration to the mainland United States reduces urban population growth, impacting overall urbanization rates.

Significance of Urbanization Trends

The projected urban population share for 2050 underscores significant implications for global development. Countries with high urbanization rates, such as Bermuda and China, Hong Kong SAR, are likely to experience continued economic growth and improved living standards due to efficient resource allocation and infrastructure. However, they may also face challenges like overpopulation and environmental degradation.

In contrast, nations with lower urbanization rates must address rural development and infrastructure gaps to enhance economic opportunities and improve living conditions. India and Sudan must tackle these issues to prevent urban-rural disparities from widening. Overall, understanding urbanization trends helps policymakers and stakeholders plan for sustainable development and manage the socio-economic impacts of urban growth effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urban Population Share 2050 in 2025

Which country is projected to have the highest urban population share by 2050?

Bermuda is projected to have the highest urban population share by 2050, with 100%.

Which country is projected to have the lowest urban population share by 2050?

Wallis and Futuna Islands are projected to have the lowest urban population share by 2050, with 0%.

What is the average urban population share by 2050 for all countries in the dataset?

The average urban population share by 2050 for all countries in the dataset is 63.69%.

What is the median urban population share by 2050 for all countries in the dataset?

The median urban population share by 2050 for all countries in the dataset is 65.7%.

How many countries are projected to have an urban population share of 100% by 2050?

Ten countries are projected to have an urban population share of 100% by 2050.

What is the urban population share range between the highest and lowest countries by 2050?

The range of urban population share by 2050 is from 0% to 100%.

Insights by country

1

Seychelles

Seychelles is projected to have an Urban Population Share 2050 of 45.482838 %, ranking #173 out of 236 countries in 2025. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a slower pace of urbanization compared to many other nations. The relatively low urban population share can be attributed to Seychelles' small size and geographic constraints, which limit large-scale urban development, coupled with a strong emphasis on preserving its natural environment and tourism-driven economy.

2

Liberia

Liberia ranks #152 globally with an urban population share of 56.081974% projected for 2050. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting ongoing challenges in urbanization compared to more developed nations. Key drivers of this statistic include Liberia's post-conflict recovery phase, which has hindered infrastructure development, and a significant rural population that remains dependent on agriculture. Additionally, rapid urban migration is expected as economic opportunities grow in cities, but the pace may not keep up with regional counterparts.

3

Andorra

In 2025, Andorra ranks #44 globally with an Urban Population Share 2050 of 88.949265 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting urbanization trends in developed regions. The high urban population share is driven by Andorra's small geographic size, which encourages concentrated development in urban areas, alongside its robust tourism sector that attracts a significant number of residents and visitors alike.

4

Chad

Chad ranks #216 globally with an Urban Population Share 2050 of 27.565878 %. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a slower urbanization rate compared to many other nations.

The low urban population share is driven by factors such as limited economic opportunities and ongoing conflicts that hinder migration to urban areas. Additionally, Chad's geographic challenges and underdeveloped infrastructure further restrict urban growth.

5

Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands ranks #186 globally with an Urban Population Share 2050 of 39.643322 %. This figure is significantly lower than many countries, reflecting the islands' remote geography and small population size, which influences urbanization trends. The limited economic opportunities outside of the capital, Tórshavn, alongside a strong cultural emphasis on rural living, contribute to this relatively low urban population share.

6

New Caledonia

New Caledonia ranks #111 globally with an Urban Population Share 2050 of 68.17179 % in 2025. This figure is below the global average urbanization rate, indicating a slower transition to urban living compared to many other regions. The key drivers for New Caledonia's urban population growth include its economic development centered around mining and tourism, as well as its relatively small population size which influences urban planning and infrastructure development.

7

Argentina

Argentina ranks #32 globally with an urban population share of 92.35192% projected for 2050. This figure is notably higher than the regional average for South America, reflecting a significant trend towards urbanization. Key drivers include the concentration of economic opportunities in urban areas, particularly in Buenos Aires, and ongoing migration from rural regions as citizens seek better living standards and employment prospects.

8

Botswana

Botswana ranks #112 globally with an Urban Population Share 2050 of 67.955956 % as of 2025. This figure is notably lower than the regional average for Southern Africa, indicating a slower pace of urbanization compared to some neighbors. Key drivers for this statistic include Botswana's relatively stable economic growth and effective land management policies, which have maintained a balance between urban expansion and rural development.

9

Solomon Islands

In 2025, the Solomon Islands ranks #209 globally with an Urban Population Share 2050 of 31.309319 %. This figure is significantly lower than many neighboring Pacific island nations, indicating a slower pace of urbanization. Contributing factors include the country's rugged geography, which limits infrastructure development, and a predominantly rural population engaged in subsistence agriculture. Additionally, economic challenges and limited job opportunities in urban areas hinder migration to cities.

10

Italy

In 2025, Italy ranks #106 globally with an Urban Population Share 2050 of 69.68086 %. This figure is below the European average, indicating a slower urbanization rate compared to its neighbors. Key drivers of this statistic include Italy's aging population and economic challenges that influence migration patterns, leading to a relatively stable urban growth compared to more rapidly urbanizing nations.

Data Source

Share of population living in urban areas projected to 2050 | Our World in Data

Our World in Data is a research organization that provides comprehensive data and visualizations on global development issues, including the share of the population living in urban areas. The dataset projects urbanization trends up to 2050, offering country-level statistics to analyze shifts in population distribution.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Urban Population Share 2050 data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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