Urban Population: Philippines
Philippines's urban population is currently 55.5% as of 2024. # Philippines Urban Population The Philippines reached 55.
Current (2024)
55.5%
+0.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
55.5%
Low (1960)
30.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Philippines
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Philippines
Analysis# Philippines Urban Population
The Philippines reached 55.452% urban population in 2024, marking its highest level on record. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 30.011% of the population lived in urban areas—an 84.8% increase over six decades. The country remains slightly less urbanized than the global average, reflecting its continued reliance on agricultural sectors outside major metropolitan centers.
The acceleration became pronounced after 2015, when urban population stood at 51.155%. Annual growth has remained steady at roughly 0.3-0.7 percentage points since then, with the rate holding consistent through 2023-2024. The Philippines' urbanization trajectory suggests continued migration toward cities, driven by economic opportunities and infrastructure development in metro Manila and provincial centers. Maintaining this growth rate would push the nation toward 60% urban population within a decade.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 55.5% | +0.60% |
| 2023 | 55.1% | +0.61% |
| 2022 | 54.8% | +0.62% |
| 2021 | 54.5% | +0.63% |
| 2020 | 54.1% | +0.73% |
| 2019 | 53.7% | +0.95% |
| 2018 | 53.2% | +1.16% |
| 2017 | 52.6% | +1.33% |
| 2016 | 51.9% | +1.48% |
| 2015 | 51.2% | +1.82% |
| 2014 | 50.2% | +2.26% |
| 2013 | 49.1% | +2.53% |
| 2012 | 47.9% | +2.65% |
| 2011 | 46.7% | +2.55% |
| 2010 | 45.5% | +2.67% |
| 2009 | 44.3% | +2.74% |
| 2008 | 43.2% | +1.91% |
| 2007 | 42.3% | +1.23% |
| 2006 | 41.8% | +1.21% |
| 2005 | 41.3% | +1.17% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 40.9% | +1.13% |
| 2003 | 40.4% | +1.10% |
| 2002 | 40.0% | +1.05% |
| 2001 | 39.5% | +1.02% |
| 2000 | 39.1% | +0.98% |
| 1999 | 38.8% | +0.95% |
| 1998 | 38.4% | +0.91% |
| 1997 | 38.0% | +0.88% |
| 1996 | 37.7% | +0.85% |
| 1995 | 37.4% | +0.82% |
| 1994 | 37.1% | +0.79% |
| 1993 | 36.8% | +0.76% |
| 1992 | 36.5% | +0.74% |
| 1991 | 36.3% | +0.71% |
| 1990 | 36.0% | +0.69% |
| 1989 | 35.8% | +0.67% |
| 1988 | 35.5% | +0.65% |
| 1987 | 35.3% | +0.63% |
| 1986 | 35.1% | +0.62% |
| 1985 | 34.9% | +0.60% |
| 1984 | 34.6% | +0.59% |
| 1983 | 34.4% | +0.58% |
| 1982 | 34.2% | +0.58% |
| 1981 | 34.0% | +0.57% |
| 1980 | 33.8% | +0.57% |
| 1979 | 33.7% | +0.57% |
| 1978 | 33.5% | +0.58% |
| 1977 | 33.3% | +0.58% |
| 1976 | 33.1% | +0.59% |
| 1975 | 32.9% | +0.60% |
| 1974 | 32.7% | +0.61% |
| 1973 | 32.5% | +0.63% |
| 1972 | 32.3% | +0.65% |
| 1971 | 32.1% | +0.67% |
| 1970 | 31.9% | +0.65% |
| 1969 | 31.7% | +0.59% |
| 1968 | 31.5% | +0.54% |
| 1967 | 31.3% | +0.51% |
| 1966 | 31.1% | +0.51% |
| 1965 | 31.0% | +0.52% |
| 1964 | 30.8% | +0.56% |
| 1963 | 30.7% | +0.62% |
| 1962 | 30.5% | +0.70% |
| 1961 | 30.3% | +0.81% |
| 1960 | 30.0% | — |
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