Urban population in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Urban population was 284.93 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Urban population in Africa Western and Central, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, urban population in Africa Western and Central stood at 284.93 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
The figure is up 3.5% on the previous year and up 43.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban population in Africa Western and Central peaked at 284.93 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 13.62 million, in 1960.
That places Africa Western and Central 39th out of 47 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban population in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 13.62 million | — |
| 1961 | 14.43 million | +5.9% |
| 1962 | 15.30 million | +6.0% |
| 1963 | 16.23 million | +6.1% |
| 1964 | 17.22 million | +6.1% |
| 1965 | 18.29 million | +6.2% |
| 1966 | 19.41 million | +6.1% |
| 1967 | 20.59 million | +6.1% |
| 1968 | 21.83 million | +6.0% |
| 1969 | 23.14 million | +6.0% |
| 1970 | 24.51 million | +5.9% |
| 1971 | 25.95 million | +5.9% |
| 1972 | 27.48 million | +5.9% |
| 1973 | 29.11 million | +5.9% |
| 1974 | 30.84 million | +5.9% |
| 1975 | 32.66 million | +5.9% |
| 1976 | 34.57 million | +5.8% |
| 1977 | 36.57 million | +5.8% |
| 1978 | 38.62 million | +5.6% |
| 1979 | 40.73 million | +5.5% |
| 1980 | 42.93 million | +5.4% |
| 1981 | 45.23 million | +5.4% |
| 1982 | 47.62 million | +5.3% |
| 1983 | 50.00 million | +5.0% |
| 1984 | 52.43 million | +4.9% |
| 1985 | 55.00 million | +4.9% |
| 1986 | 57.59 million | +4.7% |
| 1987 | 60.43 million | +4.9% |
| 1988 | 63.29 million | +4.7% |
| 1989 | 66.27 million | +4.7% |
| 1990 | 69.27 million | +4.5% |
| 1991 | 72.61 million | +4.8% |
| 1992 | 75.87 million | +4.5% |
| 1993 | 79.18 million | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 82.55 million | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 86.10 million | +4.3% |
| 1996 | 89.85 million | +4.3% |
| 1997 | 93.80 million | +4.4% |
| 1998 | 97.96 million | +4.4% |
| 1999 | 102.24 million | +4.4% |
| 2000 | 106.71 million | +4.4% |
| 2001 | 111.44 million | +4.4% |
| 2002 | 116.35 million | +4.4% |
| 2003 | 121.45 million | +4.4% |
| 2004 | 126.76 million | +4.4% |
| 2005 | 132.30 million | +4.4% |
| 2006 | 138.05 million | +4.4% |
| 2007 | 143.93 million | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 150.01 million | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 156.29 million | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 162.81 million | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 169.62 million | +4.2% |
| 2012 | 176.61 million | +4.1% |
| 2013 | 183.75 million | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 191.17 million | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 198.80 million | +4.0% |
| 2016 | 206.62 million | +3.9% |
| 2017 | 214.62 million | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 222.69 million | +3.8% |
| 2019 | 230.82 million | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 239.18 million | +3.6% |
| 2021 | 247.77 million | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 256.62 million | +3.6% |
| 2023 | 265.86 million | +3.6% |
| 2024 | 275.32 million | +3.6% |
| 2025 | 284.93 million | +3.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 18.00 million | 13.62 million | 23.14 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 32.11 million | 24.51 million | 40.73 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 54.08 million | 42.93 million | 66.27 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 84.94 million | 69.27 million | 102.24 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 130.33 million | 106.71 million | 156.29 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 195.75 million | 162.81 million | 230.82 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 261.61 million | 239.18 million | 284.93 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
More climate change data for Africa Western and Central
- Urban population, annual growth rate 3.49 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 0.5348 units per person (2025)
- Urban population growth 3.4% (2025)
- Population, total 532.81 million (2025)
- Population growth 2.3% (2025)
- Population, total, per unit of GDP 0.0006 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population, total, annual growth rate 2.33 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, total, per square kilometre 56.19 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Urban population, per square kilometre 29.39 units per square kilometre (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban population in Africa Western and Central?
- Urban population in Africa Western and Central was 284.93 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest urban population recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 284.93 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban population recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.62 million in 1960.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for urban population?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 39th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is urban population rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 43.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central 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.