Urban Population: Sweden
Sweden's urban population is currently 88.9% as of 2024. # Sweden Urban Population Sweden's urban population reached 88.
Current (2024)
88.9%
+0.3% y/y
Peak (2024)
88.9%
Low (1960)
72.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Sweden
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Sweden
Analysis# Sweden Urban Population
Sweden's urban population reached 88.856% in 2024, matching the all-time peak for the nation. This represents a dramatic 22.6 percentage point increase since 1960, when only 72.468% of Swedes lived in urban areas. The steady upward trajectory reflects Sweden's transformation from a more dispersed, rural society into one of Europe's most urbanized countries over the past six decades.
The acceleration became particularly pronounced after 2015, when the urban population stood at 86.616%. Annual growth averaged approximately 0.2 percentage points from 2015 through 2024, indicating sustained migration toward cities and metropolitan regions. With urbanization now plateauing at near-maximum levels, future growth will likely depend on natural population increase and continued internal migration rather than further conversion of rural settlements into urban centers.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 88.9% | +0.25% |
| 2023 | 88.6% | +0.26% |
| 2022 | 88.4% | +0.26% |
| 2021 | 88.2% | +0.26% |
| 2020 | 87.9% | +0.27% |
| 2019 | 87.7% | +0.27% |
| 2018 | 87.5% | +0.27% |
| 2017 | 87.2% | +0.27% |
| 2016 | 87.0% | +0.44% |
| 2015 | 86.6% | +0.42% |
| 2014 | 86.3% | +0.39% |
| 2013 | 85.9% | +0.35% |
| 2012 | 85.6% | +0.31% |
| 2011 | 85.4% | +0.27% |
| 2010 | 85.1% | +0.23% |
| 2009 | 84.9% | +0.21% |
| 2008 | 84.8% | +0.19% |
| 2007 | 84.6% | +0.16% |
| 2006 | 84.5% | +0.12% |
| 2005 | 84.3% | +0.10% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 84.3% | +0.09% |
| 2003 | 84.2% | +0.07% |
| 2002 | 84.1% | +0.06% |
| 2001 | 84.1% | +0.05% |
| 2000 | 84.0% | +0.04% |
| 1999 | 84.0% | +0.03% |
| 1998 | 84.0% | +0.03% |
| 1997 | 84.0% | +0.03% |
| 1996 | 83.9% | +0.04% |
| 1995 | 83.9% | +0.08% |
| 1994 | 83.8% | +0.12% |
| 1993 | 83.7% | +0.14% |
| 1992 | 83.6% | +0.14% |
| 1991 | 83.5% | +0.11% |
| 1990 | 83.4% | +0.10% |
| 1989 | 83.3% | +0.10% |
| 1988 | 83.2% | +0.09% |
| 1987 | 83.2% | +0.06% |
| 1986 | 83.1% | +0.02% |
| 1985 | 83.1% | +0.00% |
| 1984 | 83.1% | +0.00% |
| 1983 | 83.1% | +0.00% |
| 1982 | 83.1% | +0.00% |
| 1981 | 83.1% | +0.01% |
| 1980 | 83.1% | +0.04% |
| 1979 | 83.1% | +0.08% |
| 1978 | 83.0% | +0.11% |
| 1977 | 82.9% | +0.13% |
| 1976 | 82.8% | +0.15% |
| 1975 | 82.7% | +0.20% |
| 1974 | 82.5% | +0.28% |
| 1973 | 82.3% | +0.34% |
| 1972 | 82.0% | +0.41% |
| 1971 | 81.7% | +0.51% |
| 1970 | 81.2% | +0.74% |
| 1969 | 80.6% | +1.00% |
| 1968 | 79.8% | +1.15% |
| 1967 | 78.9% | +1.19% |
| 1966 | 78.0% | +1.16% |
| 1965 | 77.1% | +1.19% |
| 1964 | 76.2% | +1.27% |
| 1963 | 75.3% | +1.30% |
| 1962 | 74.3% | +1.28% |
| 1961 | 73.4% | +1.22% |
| 1960 | 72.5% | — |
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