Urban Population: United Kingdom
United Kingdom's urban population is currently 83.2% as of 2024. # United Kingdom Urban Population The United Kingdom's urban population reached 83.
Current (2024)
83.2%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2024)
83.2%
Low (1971)
76.9%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — United Kingdom
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — United Kingdom
Analysis# United Kingdom Urban Population
The United Kingdom's urban population reached 83.243% in 2024, matching its all-time peak. This represents a 6.0 percentage point increase since 1960, when urbanization stood at 77.243%. The nation's lowest urban population on record occurred in 1971 at 76.902%, marking the valley point in a broader upward trend across six decades.
The past decade reveals consistent urbanization momentum. Between 2015 and 2024, the urban share climbed steadily from 81.824% to 83.243%, averaging annual gains of approximately 0.18 percentage points. Year-over-year growth has remained unbroken throughout this period, suggesting the UK continues its shift toward concentrated metropolitan settlement with no reversal in sight.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 83.2% | +0.10% |
| 2023 | 83.2% | +0.10% |
| 2022 | 83.1% | +0.10% |
| 2021 | 83.0% | +0.11% |
| 2020 | 82.9% | +0.28% |
| 2019 | 82.7% | +0.27% |
| 2018 | 82.4% | +0.26% |
| 2017 | 82.2% | +0.25% |
| 2016 | 82.0% | +0.24% |
| 2015 | 81.8% | +0.23% |
| 2014 | 81.6% | +0.22% |
| 2013 | 81.5% | +0.20% |
| 2012 | 81.3% | +0.19% |
| 2011 | 81.1% | +0.17% |
| 2010 | 81.0% | +0.16% |
| 2009 | 80.9% | +0.14% |
| 2008 | 80.8% | +0.13% |
| 2007 | 80.6% | +0.13% |
| 2006 | 80.5% | +0.12% |
| 2005 | 80.4% | +0.13% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 80.3% | +0.14% |
| 2003 | 80.2% | +0.15% |
| 2002 | 80.1% | +0.16% |
| 2001 | 80.0% | +0.20% |
| 2000 | 79.8% | +0.25% |
| 1999 | 79.6% | +0.29% |
| 1998 | 79.4% | +0.31% |
| 1997 | 79.1% | +0.32% |
| 1996 | 78.9% | +0.30% |
| 1995 | 78.7% | +0.27% |
| 1994 | 78.4% | +0.22% |
| 1993 | 78.3% | +0.15% |
| 1992 | 78.2% | +0.07% |
| 1991 | 78.1% | -0.01% |
| 1990 | 78.1% | -0.04% |
| 1989 | 78.1% | -0.07% |
| 1988 | 78.2% | -0.08% |
| 1987 | 78.3% | -0.09% |
| 1986 | 78.3% | -0.09% |
| 1985 | 78.4% | -0.09% |
| 1984 | 78.5% | -0.08% |
| 1983 | 78.5% | -0.05% |
| 1982 | 78.6% | -0.03% |
| 1981 | 78.6% | +0.03% |
| 1980 | 78.6% | +0.14% |
| 1979 | 78.5% | +0.23% |
| 1978 | 78.3% | +0.29% |
| 1977 | 78.1% | +0.32% |
| 1976 | 77.8% | +0.33% |
| 1975 | 77.5% | +0.31% |
| 1974 | 77.3% | +0.26% |
| 1973 | 77.1% | +0.19% |
| 1972 | 77.0% | +0.08% |
| 1971 | 76.9% | -0.02% |
| 1970 | 76.9% | -0.09% |
| 1969 | 77.0% | -0.14% |
| 1968 | 77.1% | -0.19% |
| 1967 | 77.2% | -0.22% |
| 1966 | 77.4% | -0.24% |
| 1965 | 77.6% | -0.25% |
| 1964 | 77.8% | -0.26% |
| 1963 | 78.0% | -0.25% |
| 1962 | 78.2% | -0.23% |
| 1961 | 78.4% | -0.23% |
| 1960 | 78.5% | — |
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