Urban Population: Switzerland
Switzerland's urban population is currently 85.5% as of 2024. # Switzerland Urban Population Switzerland's urban population reached 85.
Current (2024)
85.5%
+0.3% y/y
Peak (2024)
85.5%
Low (1960)
51.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Switzerland
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Switzerland
Analysis# Switzerland Urban Population
Switzerland's urban population reached 85.462% in 2024, matching its all-time peak. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 51.018% of the population lived in urban areas—a 67.5 percentage point increase over six decades. The country has transitioned from a predominantly rural nation to one of Europe's most urbanized, with the urban share now consistently above 85%.
The acceleration intensified after 2015, when urbanization stood at 75.604%. Between 2015 and 2024, the urban population grew nearly 10 percentage points in just nine years, compared to roughly 25 percentage points over the preceding 55 years. This steeper recent growth reflects ongoing migration to metropolitan regions and continued urban development. With urbanization plateauing near 85%, future growth will likely remain modest as Switzerland approaches saturation in urban settlement patterns.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 85.5% | +0.33% |
| 2023 | 85.2% | +0.31% |
| 2022 | 84.9% | +0.86% |
| 2021 | 84.2% | +2.26% |
| 2020 | 82.3% | +1.93% |
| 2019 | 80.8% | +1.88% |
| 2018 | 79.3% | +1.77% |
| 2017 | 77.9% | +1.62% |
| 2016 | 76.7% | +1.41% |
| 2015 | 75.6% | +1.16% |
| 2014 | 74.7% | +0.85% |
| 2013 | 74.1% | +0.49% |
| 2012 | 73.8% | +0.14% |
| 2011 | 73.7% | +0.06% |
| 2010 | 73.6% | +0.05% |
| 2009 | 73.6% | +0.04% |
| 2008 | 73.5% | +0.03% |
| 2007 | 73.5% | +0.02% |
| 2006 | 73.5% | +0.02% |
| 2005 | 73.5% | +0.03% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 73.5% | +0.03% |
| 2003 | 73.5% | +0.04% |
| 2002 | 73.4% | +0.06% |
| 2001 | 73.4% | +0.10% |
| 2000 | 73.3% | +0.23% |
| 1999 | 73.1% | +0.38% |
| 1998 | 72.9% | +0.51% |
| 1997 | 72.5% | +0.62% |
| 1996 | 72.0% | +0.71% |
| 1995 | 71.5% | +0.77% |
| 1994 | 71.0% | +0.82% |
| 1993 | 70.4% | +0.84% |
| 1992 | 69.8% | +0.84% |
| 1991 | 69.2% | +0.84% |
| 1990 | 68.7% | +0.95% |
| 1989 | 68.0% | +1.10% |
| 1988 | 67.3% | +1.21% |
| 1987 | 66.5% | +1.27% |
| 1986 | 65.6% | +1.31% |
| 1985 | 64.8% | +1.30% |
| 1984 | 64.0% | +1.25% |
| 1983 | 63.2% | +1.16% |
| 1982 | 62.4% | +1.03% |
| 1981 | 61.8% | +0.85% |
| 1980 | 61.3% | +0.74% |
| 1979 | 60.8% | +0.67% |
| 1978 | 60.4% | +0.61% |
| 1977 | 60.1% | +0.58% |
| 1976 | 59.7% | +0.56% |
| 1975 | 59.4% | +0.57% |
| 1974 | 59.1% | +0.60% |
| 1973 | 58.7% | +0.65% |
| 1972 | 58.3% | +0.73% |
| 1971 | 57.9% | +0.83% |
| 1970 | 57.4% | +0.93% |
| 1969 | 56.9% | +1.02% |
| 1968 | 56.3% | +1.10% |
| 1967 | 55.7% | +1.17% |
| 1966 | 55.1% | +1.22% |
| 1965 | 54.4% | +1.27% |
| 1964 | 53.7% | +1.29% |
| 1963 | 53.0% | +1.30% |
| 1962 | 52.4% | +1.30% |
| 1961 | 51.7% | +1.30% |
| 1960 | 51.0% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Switzerland
Compare Urban Population
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data