Urban Population: Samoa
Samoa's urban population is currently 17.5% as of 2024. # Samoa Urban Population Samoa's urban population stands at 17.
Current (2024)
17.5%
+0.0% y/y
Peak (2001)
22.0%
Low (2022)
17.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Samoa
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Samoa
Analysis# Samoa Urban Population
Samoa's urban population stands at 17.503% in 2024, representing a modest uptick from 2022's all-time low of 17.501%. This figure sits well below the nation's peak of 21.975% recorded in 2001, marking a significant 4.5-percentage-point decline over two decades. Since 1960, Samoa has experienced a net decrease of 7.4 percentage points in urbanization, a counterintuitive pattern for a developing nation.
The most striking trend emerged between 2001 and 2022, when urban population share contracted steadily from 21.975% to 17.501%. This two-decade decline suggests ongoing rural retention or migration reversal patterns. The data from 2022 onwards shows stabilization rather than continued decline, with 2024 registering virtually unchanged from the previous year. Whether this plateau indicates the beginning of renewed urbanization or represents a structural feature of Samoa's settlement patterns remains to be seen in future years.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17.5% | +0.01% |
| 2023 | 17.5% | +0.00% |
| 2022 | 17.5% | -0.38% |
| 2021 | 17.6% | -2.69% |
| 2020 | 18.1% | -1.97% |
| 2019 | 18.4% | -1.65% |
| 2018 | 18.7% | -1.28% |
| 2017 | 19.0% | -0.84% |
| 2016 | 19.1% | -0.56% |
| 2015 | 19.2% | -0.41% |
| 2014 | 19.3% | -0.38% |
| 2013 | 19.4% | -0.47% |
| 2012 | 19.5% | -0.70% |
| 2011 | 19.6% | -1.07% |
| 2010 | 19.8% | -1.37% |
| 2009 | 20.1% | -1.47% |
| 2008 | 20.4% | -1.40% |
| 2007 | 20.7% | -1.25% |
| 2006 | 21.0% | -1.31% |
| 2005 | 21.2% | -1.36% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 21.5% | -1.16% |
| 2003 | 21.8% | -0.74% |
| 2002 | 21.9% | -0.15% |
| 2001 | 22.0% | +0.10% |
| 2000 | 22.0% | +0.21% |
| 1999 | 21.9% | +0.30% |
| 1998 | 21.8% | +0.38% |
| 1997 | 21.8% | +0.44% |
| 1996 | 21.7% | +0.48% |
| 1995 | 21.6% | +0.51% |
| 1994 | 21.4% | +0.52% |
| 1993 | 21.3% | +0.52% |
| 1992 | 21.2% | +0.54% |
| 1991 | 21.1% | +0.72% |
| 1990 | 21.0% | +0.86% |
| 1989 | 20.8% | +0.79% |
| 1988 | 20.6% | +0.54% |
| 1987 | 20.5% | +0.05% |
| 1986 | 20.5% | -0.57% |
| 1985 | 20.6% | -0.97% |
| 1984 | 20.8% | -1.00% |
| 1983 | 21.0% | -0.72% |
| 1982 | 21.2% | -0.16% |
| 1981 | 21.2% | +0.04% |
| 1980 | 21.2% | +0.08% |
| 1979 | 21.2% | +0.11% |
| 1978 | 21.2% | +0.13% |
| 1977 | 21.1% | +0.16% |
| 1976 | 21.1% | +0.28% |
| 1975 | 21.0% | +0.41% |
| 1974 | 21.0% | +0.52% |
| 1973 | 20.9% | +0.60% |
| 1972 | 20.7% | +0.74% |
| 1971 | 20.6% | +1.13% |
| 1970 | 20.3% | +1.49% |
| 1969 | 20.0% | +1.53% |
| 1968 | 19.7% | +1.28% |
| 1967 | 19.5% | +0.78% |
| 1966 | 19.3% | +0.53% |
| 1965 | 19.2% | +0.44% |
| 1964 | 19.2% | +0.38% |
| 1963 | 19.1% | +0.36% |
| 1962 | 19.0% | +0.36% |
| 1961 | 18.9% | +0.30% |
| 1960 | 18.9% | — |
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