Urban Population: Netherlands
Netherlands's urban population is currently 95.6% as of 2024. # Netherlands Urban Population The Netherlands reached 95.
Current (2024)
95.6%
+0.3% y/y
Peak (2024)
95.6%
Low (1960)
59.9%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Netherlands
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Netherlands
Analysis# Netherlands Urban Population
The Netherlands reached 95.64% urban population in 2024, matching its all-time peak. This figure represents a dramatic 59.6 percentage point increase since 1960, when only 59.94% of the population lived in urban areas. The country has transformed from a majority-rural nation into one of Europe's most densely urbanized states over six decades.
The acceleration intensified after 2015, with urban population climbing from 90.28% to today's record high. Annual growth averaged roughly 0.65 percentage points between 2015 and 2024, particularly steep from 2017 onward. With urbanization plateauing near saturation levels, further significant gains appear unlikely, suggesting the Netherlands has largely completed its transition to a predominantly urban society.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 95.6% | +0.33% |
| 2023 | 95.3% | +0.35% |
| 2022 | 95.0% | +0.38% |
| 2021 | 94.6% | +0.40% |
| 2020 | 94.3% | +0.39% |
| 2019 | 93.9% | +1.39% |
| 2018 | 92.6% | +1.63% |
| 2017 | 91.1% | +0.60% |
| 2016 | 90.6% | +0.33% |
| 2015 | 90.3% | +0.49% |
| 2014 | 89.8% | +0.74% |
| 2013 | 89.2% | +0.72% |
| 2012 | 88.5% | +0.60% |
| 2011 | 88.0% | +0.75% |
| 2010 | 87.3% | +1.31% |
| 2009 | 86.2% | +0.71% |
| 2008 | 85.6% | +0.24% |
| 2007 | 85.4% | +0.89% |
| 2006 | 84.7% | +1.37% |
| 2005 | 83.5% | +1.52% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 82.3% | +1.17% |
| 2003 | 81.3% | +0.61% |
| 2002 | 80.8% | +0.78% |
| 2001 | 80.2% | +2.17% |
| 2000 | 78.5% | +1.85% |
| 1999 | 77.1% | +0.40% |
| 1998 | 76.8% | +1.59% |
| 1997 | 75.6% | +4.32% |
| 1996 | 72.4% | +2.45% |
| 1995 | 70.7% | +0.40% |
| 1994 | 70.4% | +0.93% |
| 1993 | 69.8% | +0.65% |
| 1992 | 69.3% | +0.15% |
| 1991 | 69.2% | +0.32% |
| 1990 | 69.0% | +0.32% |
| 1989 | 68.8% | +0.50% |
| 1988 | 68.4% | +0.39% |
| 1987 | 68.2% | +0.28% |
| 1986 | 68.0% | +0.52% |
| 1985 | 67.6% | +0.39% |
| 1984 | 67.4% | +0.66% |
| 1983 | 66.9% | +0.70% |
| 1982 | 66.5% | +1.09% |
| 1981 | 65.7% | +1.16% |
| 1980 | 65.0% | +0.28% |
| 1979 | 64.8% | +0.29% |
| 1978 | 64.6% | +0.06% |
| 1977 | 64.6% | +0.12% |
| 1976 | 64.5% | +0.17% |
| 1975 | 64.4% | +0.27% |
| 1974 | 64.2% | +1.11% |
| 1973 | 63.5% | +0.69% |
| 1972 | 63.1% | +0.43% |
| 1971 | 62.8% | +1.16% |
| 1970 | 62.1% | +0.46% |
| 1969 | 61.8% | +0.02% |
| 1968 | 61.8% | +0.27% |
| 1967 | 61.6% | +0.52% |
| 1966 | 61.3% | +0.23% |
| 1965 | 61.2% | +0.50% |
| 1964 | 60.9% | +0.86% |
| 1963 | 60.3% | +0.05% |
| 1962 | 60.3% | +0.27% |
| 1961 | 60.1% | +0.33% |
| 1960 | 59.9% | — |
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