Urban population, 1950-2100

This graph shows the percentage of the world's population living in urban areas, from 1950 until the year 2100. As of today, around 55% of people are estimated to live in towns and cities. On current trends, this figure is predicted to reach 68% by 2050 and 85% by 2100.

Sources:

World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations:

https://population.un.org/wup/Download/

"By 2100, some 85% of the population will live in cities, with urban population increasing from under 1 billion in 1950 to 9 billion by 2100."

Developments and Forecasts on Continuing Urbanisation, European Commission:

https://ec.europa.eu/knowledge4policy/foresight/topic/continuing-urbanisation/developments-and-forecasts-on-continuing-urbanisation_en

By 2100 none of the world's biggest cities will be in China, the US or Europe, World Economic Forum:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/07/by-2100-none-of-the-worlds-biggest-cities-will-be-in-china-the-us-or-europe

Posted: 6th June 2019. Last updated: 6th June 2019.