Rwanda - Urban population

The value for Urban population in Rwanda was 2,257,829 as of 2020. As the graph below shows, over the past 60 years this indicator reached a maximum value of 2,257,829 in 2020 and a minimum value of 76,325 in 1960.

Definition: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

Source: World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.

See also:

Year Value
1960 76,325
1961 79,576
1962 82,735
1963 85,896
1964 89,359
1965 93,248
1966 97,724
1967 102,730
1968 108,225
1969 113,997
1970 120,010
1971 129,151
1972 139,194
1973 149,966
1974 161,689
1975 174,501
1976 188,445
1977 203,627
1978 220,189
1979 231,813
1980 243,288
1981 255,058
1982 267,150
1983 279,997
1984 294,434
1985 310,848
1986 330,371
1987 352,423
1988 373,548
1989 388,736
1990 394,766
1991 388,978
1992 421,437
1993 458,069
1994 503,988
1995 574,136
1996 683,931
1997 800,304
1998 922,153
1999 1,054,974
2000 1,184,182
2001 1,302,909
2002 1,413,808
2003 1,446,502
2004 1,467,702
2005 1,495,058
2006 1,529,862
2007 1,569,213
2008 1,612,027
2009 1,656,223
2010 1,700,061
2011 1,743,485
2012 1,787,430
2013 1,832,231
2014 1,880,559
2015 1,933,196
2016 1,990,235
2017 2,051,739
2018 2,117,292
2019 2,186,102
2020 2,257,829

Development Relevance: Explosive growth of cities globally signifies the demographic transition from rural to urban, and is associated with shifts from an agriculture-based economy to mass industry, technology, and service. In principle, cities offer a more favorable setting for the resolution of social and environmental problems than rural areas. Cities generate jobs and income, and deliver education, health care and other services. Cities also present opportunities for social mobilization and women's empowerment.

Limitations and Exceptions: Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverage. There is no consistent and universally accepted standard for distinguishing urban from rural areas, in part because of the wide variety of situations across countries. Most countries use an urban classification related to the size or characteristics of settlements. Some define urban areas based on the presence of certain infrastructure and services. And other countries designate urban areas based on administrative arrangements. Because of national differences in the characteristics that distinguish urban from rural areas, the distinction between urban and rural population is not amenable to a single definition that would be applicable to all countries. Estimates of the world's urban population would change significantly if China, India, and a few other populous nations were to change their definition of urban centers. Because the estimates of city and metropolitan area are based on national definitions of what constitutes a city or metropolitan area, cross-country comparisons should be made with caution.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The indicator is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. To estimate urban populations, UN ratios of urban to total population were applied to the World Bank's estimates of total population. Countries differ in the way they classify population as "urban" or "rural." The population of a city or metropolitan area depends on the boundaries chosen.

Aggregation method: Sum

Periodicity: Annual

Classification

Topic: Environment Indicators

Sub-Topic: Density & urbanization