Urban Population: Canada
Canada's urban population is currently 82.7% as of 2024. # Canada Urban Population Canada's urban population reached 82.
Current (2024)
82.7%
+0.2% y/y
Peak (2024)
82.7%
Low (1960)
69.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Canada
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Canada
Analysis# Canada Urban Population
Canada's urban population reached 82.7% in 2024, matching the all-time peak for the second consecutive year. This represents a significant shift from 1960, when just 69.042% of Canadians lived in urban areas—a 19.8 percentage point increase over six decades. The country has experienced nearly uninterrupted urbanization growth throughout this period, reflecting broader patterns of industrial development and migration to metropolitan centers.
The acceleration became particularly pronounced after 2015, when the urban population stood at 81.247%. Annual growth has remained steady between 0.1 and 0.2 percentage points yearly, with 2024 marking the stabilization point at 82.7%. The data trajectory suggests Canada's urbanization has reached or approached saturation, with minimal room for further growth as the proportion nears maximum feasible urban concentration.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 82.7% | +0.21% |
| 2023 | 82.5% | +0.21% |
| 2022 | 82.3% | +0.21% |
| 2021 | 82.2% | +0.28% |
| 2020 | 82.0% | +0.26% |
| 2019 | 81.7% | +0.23% |
| 2018 | 81.5% | +0.18% |
| 2017 | 81.4% | +0.12% |
| 2016 | 81.3% | +0.07% |
| 2015 | 81.2% | +0.04% |
| 2014 | 81.2% | +0.03% |
| 2013 | 81.2% | +0.04% |
| 2012 | 81.2% | +0.06% |
| 2011 | 81.1% | +0.11% |
| 2010 | 81.0% | +0.19% |
| 2009 | 80.9% | +0.24% |
| 2008 | 80.7% | +0.27% |
| 2007 | 80.4% | +0.28% |
| 2006 | 80.2% | +0.30% |
| 2005 | 80.0% | +0.36% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 79.7% | +0.38% |
| 2003 | 79.4% | +0.37% |
| 2002 | 79.1% | +0.33% |
| 2001 | 78.8% | +0.27% |
| 2000 | 78.6% | +0.24% |
| 1999 | 78.4% | +0.22% |
| 1998 | 78.3% | +0.23% |
| 1997 | 78.1% | +0.25% |
| 1996 | 77.9% | +0.33% |
| 1995 | 77.6% | +0.41% |
| 1994 | 77.3% | +0.42% |
| 1993 | 77.0% | +0.34% |
| 1992 | 76.7% | +0.18% |
| 1991 | 76.6% | +0.05% |
| 1990 | 76.6% | +0.03% |
| 1989 | 76.5% | +0.02% |
| 1988 | 76.5% | +0.03% |
| 1987 | 76.5% | +0.04% |
| 1986 | 76.5% | +0.12% |
| 1985 | 76.4% | +0.21% |
| 1984 | 76.2% | +0.25% |
| 1983 | 76.0% | +0.23% |
| 1982 | 75.9% | +0.15% |
| 1981 | 75.7% | +0.08% |
| 1980 | 75.7% | +0.07% |
| 1979 | 75.6% | +0.06% |
| 1978 | 75.6% | +0.04% |
| 1977 | 75.5% | +0.02% |
| 1976 | 75.5% | -0.06% |
| 1975 | 75.6% | -0.18% |
| 1974 | 75.7% | -0.22% |
| 1973 | 75.9% | -0.19% |
| 1972 | 76.0% | -0.09% |
| 1971 | 76.1% | +0.18% |
| 1970 | 75.9% | +0.54% |
| 1969 | 75.5% | +0.78% |
| 1968 | 75.0% | +0.90% |
| 1967 | 74.3% | +0.89% |
| 1966 | 73.6% | +0.94% |
| 1965 | 72.9% | +1.11% |
| 1964 | 72.1% | +1.20% |
| 1963 | 71.3% | +1.19% |
| 1962 | 70.4% | +1.09% |
| 1961 | 69.7% | +0.94% |
| 1960 | 69.0% | — |
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