Urban Population: Japan
Japan's urban population is currently 92.2% as of 2024. # Japan Urban Population Japan's urban population reached 92.
Current (2024)
92.2%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2024)
92.2%
Low (1960)
63.3%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Japan
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Japan
Analysis# Japan Urban Population
Japan's urban population reached 92.19% in 2024, matching its all-time peak for the second consecutive year. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 63.26% of Japan's population lived in urban areas—a 45.7 percentage point increase over six decades. The country now ranks among the world's most urbanized nations, with virtually nine in ten residents concentrated in cities and metropolitan areas.
The urbanization accelerated significantly during Japan's period of rapid economic growth from the 1960s through 1980s, as rural populations migrated to industrial centers. Recent data from 2015 to 2024 reveals a steady, incremental climb of approximately 0.85 percentage points per decade. With the urban share plateauing near 92%, further growth appears limited by demographic constraints and saturation in major metropolitan regions.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 92.2% | +0.12% |
| 2023 | 92.1% | +0.11% |
| 2022 | 92.0% | +0.11% |
| 2021 | 91.9% | +0.10% |
| 2020 | 91.8% | +0.07% |
| 2019 | 91.7% | +0.09% |
| 2018 | 91.6% | +0.10% |
| 2017 | 91.5% | +0.10% |
| 2016 | 91.5% | +0.11% |
| 2015 | 91.4% | +0.11% |
| 2014 | 91.3% | +0.11% |
| 2013 | 91.2% | +0.14% |
| 2012 | 91.0% | +0.18% |
| 2011 | 90.9% | +0.26% |
| 2010 | 90.6% | +0.57% |
| 2009 | 90.1% | +0.92% |
| 2008 | 89.3% | +1.16% |
| 2007 | 88.3% | +1.29% |
| 2006 | 87.1% | +1.38% |
| 2005 | 86.0% | +1.88% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 84.4% | +2.37% |
| 2003 | 82.4% | +2.33% |
| 2002 | 80.5% | +1.75% |
| 2001 | 79.2% | +0.69% |
| 2000 | 78.6% | +0.21% |
| 1999 | 78.4% | +0.15% |
| 1998 | 78.3% | +0.12% |
| 1997 | 78.2% | +0.12% |
| 1996 | 78.1% | +0.15% |
| 1995 | 78.0% | +0.17% |
| 1994 | 77.9% | +0.17% |
| 1993 | 77.7% | +0.18% |
| 1992 | 77.6% | +0.18% |
| 1991 | 77.5% | +0.17% |
| 1990 | 77.3% | +0.17% |
| 1989 | 77.2% | +0.17% |
| 1988 | 77.1% | +0.17% |
| 1987 | 76.9% | +0.17% |
| 1986 | 76.8% | +0.16% |
| 1985 | 76.7% | +0.16% |
| 1984 | 76.6% | +0.15% |
| 1983 | 76.5% | +0.14% |
| 1982 | 76.3% | +0.13% |
| 1981 | 76.3% | +0.10% |
| 1980 | 76.2% | +0.07% |
| 1979 | 76.1% | +0.05% |
| 1978 | 76.1% | +0.06% |
| 1977 | 76.0% | +0.08% |
| 1976 | 76.0% | +0.16% |
| 1975 | 75.9% | +0.58% |
| 1974 | 75.4% | +1.05% |
| 1973 | 74.6% | +1.29% |
| 1972 | 73.7% | +1.33% |
| 1971 | 72.7% | +1.18% |
| 1970 | 71.9% | +1.08% |
| 1969 | 71.1% | +1.11% |
| 1968 | 70.3% | +1.13% |
| 1967 | 69.5% | +1.18% |
| 1966 | 68.7% | +1.24% |
| 1965 | 67.9% | +1.28% |
| 1964 | 67.0% | +1.32% |
| 1963 | 66.1% | +1.40% |
| 1962 | 65.2% | +1.50% |
| 1961 | 64.3% | +1.60% |
| 1960 | 63.3% | — |
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