Urban population in Africa Eastern and Southern
Africa Eastern and Southern: Urban population was 305.30 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Urban population in Africa Eastern and Southern, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban population in Africa Eastern and Southern is 305.30 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
The figure is up 3.8% on the previous year and up 45.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban population in Africa Eastern and Southern peaked at 305.30 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 19.04 million, in 1960.
Africa Eastern and Southern ranks 37th of 47 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban population in Africa Eastern and Southern, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 19.04 million | — |
| 1961 | 19.85 million | +4.3% |
| 1962 | 20.72 million | +4.4% |
| 1963 | 21.64 million | +4.4% |
| 1964 | 22.62 million | +4.5% |
| 1965 | 23.66 million | +4.6% |
| 1966 | 24.75 million | +4.6% |
| 1967 | 25.91 million | +4.7% |
| 1968 | 27.14 million | +4.7% |
| 1969 | 28.44 million | +4.8% |
| 1970 | 29.82 million | +4.9% |
| 1971 | 31.29 million | +4.9% |
| 1972 | 32.86 million | +5.0% |
| 1973 | 34.54 million | +5.1% |
| 1974 | 36.29 million | +5.1% |
| 1975 | 38.09 million | +4.9% |
| 1976 | 39.93 million | +4.8% |
| 1977 | 41.79 million | +4.7% |
| 1978 | 43.78 million | +4.8% |
| 1979 | 45.91 million | +4.9% |
| 1980 | 48.10 million | +4.8% |
| 1981 | 50.39 million | +4.7% |
| 1982 | 52.83 million | +4.8% |
| 1983 | 55.45 million | +5.0% |
| 1984 | 58.25 million | +5.1% |
| 1985 | 61.27 million | +5.2% |
| 1986 | 64.52 million | +5.3% |
| 1987 | 67.98 million | +5.4% |
| 1988 | 71.55 million | +5.2% |
| 1989 | 75.18 million | +5.1% |
| 1990 | 78.88 million | +4.9% |
| 1991 | 82.37 million | +4.4% |
| 1992 | 85.66 million | +4.0% |
| 1993 | 89.14 million | +4.1% |
| 1994 | 92.83 million | +4.1% |
| 1995 | 96.43 million | +3.9% |
| 1996 | 99.88 million | +3.6% |
| 1997 | 103.38 million | +3.5% |
| 1998 | 107.25 million | +3.7% |
| 1999 | 111.35 million | +3.8% |
| 2000 | 115.63 million | +3.8% |
| 2001 | 120.17 million | +3.9% |
| 2002 | 125.01 million | +4.0% |
| 2003 | 130.17 million | +4.1% |
| 2004 | 135.67 million | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 141.41 million | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 147.38 million | +4.2% |
| 2007 | 153.23 million | +4.0% |
| 2008 | 159.91 million | +4.4% |
| 2009 | 166.36 million | +4.0% |
| 2010 | 172.83 million | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 179.43 million | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 186.28 million | +3.8% |
| 2013 | 193.66 million | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 201.39 million | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 209.40 million | +4.0% |
| 2016 | 217.44 million | +3.8% |
| 2017 | 225.83 million | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 234.93 million | +4.0% |
| 2019 | 244.00 million | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 253.39 million | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 263.19 million | +3.9% |
| 2022 | 273.41 million | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 283.48 million | +3.7% |
| 2024 | 294.18 million | +3.8% |
| 2025 | 305.30 million | +3.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 23.38 million | 19.04 million | 28.44 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 37.43 million | 29.82 million | 45.91 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 60.55 million | 48.10 million | 75.18 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 94.72 million | 78.88 million | 111.35 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 139.49 million | 115.63 million | 166.36 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 206.52 million | 172.83 million | 244.00 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 278.83 million | 253.39 million | 305.30 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Africa Eastern and Southern
More climate change data for Africa Eastern and Southern
- Urban population, annual growth rate 3.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 0.387 units per person (2025)
- Urban population growth 3.7% (2025)
- Population, total 788.84 million (2025)
- Population growth 2.5% (2025)
- Population, total, per unit of GDP 0.0006 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population, total, annual growth rate 2.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, total, per square kilometre 50.51 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Urban population, per square kilometre 19.08 units per square kilometre (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban population in Africa Eastern and Southern?
- Urban population in Africa Eastern and Southern was 305.30 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest urban population recorded in Africa Eastern and Southern?
- The highest recorded value was 305.30 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban population recorded in Africa Eastern and Southern?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.04 million in 1960.
- How does Africa Eastern and Southern rank for urban population?
- Africa Eastern and Southern ranks 37th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is urban population rising or falling in Africa Eastern and Southern?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Eastern and Southern data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), published as part of Urban population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.