Urban population in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Urban population was 444.81 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Urban population in Least developed countries, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, urban population in Least developed countries stood at 444.81 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.7% on the previous year and up 44.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban population in Least developed countries peaked at 444.81 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 22.93 million, in 1960.
That places Least developed countries 29th out of 47 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban population in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 22.93 million | — |
| 1961 | 24.10 million | +5.1% |
| 1962 | 25.36 million | +5.2% |
| 1963 | 26.70 million | +5.3% |
| 1964 | 28.14 million | +5.4% |
| 1965 | 29.69 million | +5.5% |
| 1966 | 31.33 million | +5.5% |
| 1967 | 33.08 million | +5.6% |
| 1968 | 34.99 million | +5.8% |
| 1969 | 37.15 million | +6.2% |
| 1970 | 39.46 million | +6.2% |
| 1971 | 41.97 million | +6.3% |
| 1972 | 44.74 million | +6.6% |
| 1973 | 47.57 million | +6.3% |
| 1974 | 49.39 million | +3.8% |
| 1975 | 51.43 million | +4.1% |
| 1976 | 54.73 million | +6.4% |
| 1977 | 58.22 million | +6.4% |
| 1978 | 61.93 million | +6.4% |
| 1979 | 65.92 million | +6.5% |
| 1980 | 69.72 million | +5.8% |
| 1981 | 73.10 million | +4.8% |
| 1982 | 76.68 million | +4.9% |
| 1983 | 80.57 million | +5.1% |
| 1984 | 84.63 million | +5.0% |
| 1985 | 88.87 million | +5.0% |
| 1986 | 93.19 million | +4.9% |
| 1987 | 97.82 million | +5.0% |
| 1988 | 102.47 million | +4.7% |
| 1989 | 107.26 million | +4.7% |
| 1990 | 112.11 million | +4.5% |
| 1991 | 117.24 million | +4.6% |
| 1992 | 122.37 million | +4.4% |
| 1993 | 127.80 million | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 133.56 million | +4.5% |
| 1995 | 139.37 million | +4.4% |
| 1996 | 145.07 million | +4.1% |
| 1997 | 150.96 million | +4.1% |
| 1998 | 157.20 million | +4.1% |
| 1999 | 163.66 million | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 170.29 million | +4.0% |
| 2001 | 177.20 million | +4.1% |
| 2002 | 184.63 million | +4.2% |
| 2003 | 192.49 million | +4.3% |
| 2004 | 200.63 million | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 209.15 million | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 218.05 million | +4.3% |
| 2007 | 226.81 million | +4.0% |
| 2008 | 236.49 million | +4.3% |
| 2009 | 246.14 million | +4.1% |
| 2010 | 255.86 million | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 265.70 million | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 275.75 million | +3.8% |
| 2013 | 286.32 million | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 297.41 million | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 308.78 million | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 320.65 million | +3.8% |
| 2017 | 333.07 million | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 345.93 million | +3.9% |
| 2019 | 358.95 million | +3.8% |
| 2020 | 372.25 million | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 385.78 million | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 399.61 million | +3.6% |
| 2023 | 413.90 million | +3.6% |
| 2024 | 429.08 million | +3.7% |
| 2025 | 444.81 million | +3.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 29.35 million | 22.93 million | 37.15 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 51.54 million | 39.46 million | 65.92 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 87.43 million | 69.72 million | 107.26 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 136.93 million | 112.11 million | 163.66 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 206.19 million | 170.29 million | 246.14 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 304.84 million | 255.86 million | 358.95 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 407.57 million | 372.25 million | 444.81 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
More climate change data for Least developed countries
- Urban population growth 3.6% (2025)
- Population, total, annual growth rate 2.32 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, total, per unit of GDP 0.0007 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, annual growth rate 3.67 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 0.3664 units per person (2025)
- Population, total 1.21 billion (2025)
- Population growth 2.3% (2025)
- Urban population, per square kilometre 20.33 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Population, total, per square kilometre 56.96 units per square kilometre (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban population in Least developed countries?
- Urban population in Least developed countries was 444.81 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest urban population recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 444.81 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban population recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.93 million in 1960.
- How does Least developed countries rank for urban population?
- Least developed countries ranks 29th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is urban population rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is up 44.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Least developed countries 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
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.