Urban Population: Yemen
Yemen's urban population is currently 36.8% as of 2024. # Yemen Urban Population Yemen's urban population reached 36.
Current (2024)
36.8%
+0.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
36.8%
Low (1960)
3.4%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Yemen
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Yemen
Analysis# Yemen Urban Population
Yemen's urban population reached 36.808% in 2024, marking its all-time high. This represents a dramatic transformation from 1960, when only 3.4% of the population lived in urban areas—a cumulative increase of 982.6% over six decades. Despite this substantial growth, Yemen remains predominantly rural compared to many regional peers, with roughly two-thirds of its population still concentrated in rural areas.
The period from 2015 onwards shows consistent annual growth, accelerating from 32.388% to the current 36.808%. This steady urbanization reflects migration patterns driven by economic pressures and conflict-related displacement. The trajectory suggests continued urban growth, though Yemen's ongoing humanitarian challenges and infrastructure constraints may moderate future expansion rates.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 36.8% | +0.65% |
| 2023 | 36.6% | +0.68% |
| 2022 | 36.3% | +0.70% |
| 2021 | 36.1% | +1.03% |
| 2020 | 35.7% | +2.28% |
| 2019 | 34.9% | +2.03% |
| 2018 | 34.2% | +1.94% |
| 2017 | 33.6% | +1.85% |
| 2016 | 33.0% | +1.74% |
| 2015 | 32.4% | +1.65% |
| 2014 | 31.9% | +1.34% |
| 2013 | 31.4% | +0.77% |
| 2012 | 31.2% | +0.90% |
| 2011 | 30.9% | +0.98% |
| 2010 | 30.6% | +1.06% |
| 2009 | 30.3% | +1.13% |
| 2008 | 30.0% | +1.20% |
| 2007 | 29.6% | +1.27% |
| 2006 | 29.2% | +1.34% |
| 2005 | 28.9% | +1.41% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 28.5% | +1.51% |
| 2003 | 28.0% | +1.63% |
| 2002 | 27.6% | +1.75% |
| 2001 | 27.1% | +1.87% |
| 2000 | 26.6% | +1.99% |
| 1999 | 26.1% | +2.12% |
| 1998 | 25.5% | +2.25% |
| 1997 | 25.0% | +2.39% |
| 1996 | 24.4% | +2.53% |
| 1995 | 23.8% | +2.71% |
| 1994 | 23.2% | +3.01% |
| 1993 | 22.5% | +3.38% |
| 1992 | 21.8% | +3.69% |
| 1991 | 21.0% | +3.96% |
| 1990 | 20.2% | +4.19% |
| 1989 | 19.4% | +4.36% |
| 1988 | 18.6% | +4.46% |
| 1987 | 17.8% | +4.47% |
| 1986 | 17.0% | +4.54% |
| 1985 | 16.3% | +4.86% |
| 1984 | 15.5% | +5.25% |
| 1983 | 14.7% | +5.63% |
| 1982 | 14.0% | +6.03% |
| 1981 | 13.2% | +6.39% |
| 1980 | 12.4% | +6.76% |
| 1979 | 11.6% | +7.11% |
| 1978 | 10.8% | +7.43% |
| 1977 | 10.1% | +7.68% |
| 1976 | 9.4% | +7.89% |
| 1975 | 8.7% | +7.99% |
| 1974 | 8.0% | +7.98% |
| 1973 | 7.4% | +7.77% |
| 1972 | 6.9% | +7.38% |
| 1971 | 6.4% | +6.71% |
| 1970 | 6.0% | +6.25% |
| 1969 | 5.7% | +6.12% |
| 1968 | 5.3% | +6.04% |
| 1967 | 5.0% | +5.96% |
| 1966 | 4.8% | +5.84% |
| 1965 | 4.5% | +5.77% |
| 1964 | 4.2% | +5.73% |
| 1963 | 4.0% | +5.69% |
| 1962 | 3.8% | +5.67% |
| 1961 | 3.6% | +5.74% |
| 1960 | 3.4% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Yemen
Compare Urban Population
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Demographics
People & population data
No demographic data available.