Share of urban population who live in the largest city in France
France: Share of urban population who live in the largest city was 22.8% in 2020. ▬ Flat
Share of urban population who live in the largest city in France, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, share of urban population who live in the largest city in France stood at 22.8%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of urban population who live in the largest city in France peaked at 23.0% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 21.9%, in 1950.
That places France 103rd out of 179 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of urban population who live in the largest city in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 21.9% | — |
| 1955 | 22.2% | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 22.5% | +1.6% |
| 1965 | 22.3% | -1.3% |
| 1970 | 22.3% | +0.1% |
| 1975 | 22.4% | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 22.1% | -1.3% |
| 1985 | 22.2% | +0.5% |
| 1990 | 22.5% | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 22.5% | -0.1% |
| 2000 | 22.5% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 22.8% | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 22.9% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 23.0% | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 22.8% | -0.6% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 22.8% is below the median for high income countries, which is 29.2%, 78% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- France's 22.8% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 24.1%, 95% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 22.1% | 21.9% | 22.2% | 2 |
| 1960s | 22.4% | 22.3% | 22.5% | 2 |
| 1970s | 22.4% | 22.3% | 22.4% | 2 |
| 1980s | 22.2% | 22.1% | 22.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 22.5% | 22.5% | 22.5% | 2 |
| 2000s | 22.6% | 22.5% | 22.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 22.9% | 22.9% | 23.0% | 2 |
| 2020s | 22.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 1 |
Countries ranked near France
More population data for France
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1885 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.028 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.58 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.028 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.16 million people (2100)
- Population density 125.07 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.1075 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.1504 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of urban population who live in the largest city in France?
- Share of urban population who live in the largest city in France was 22.8% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of urban population who live in the largest city recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 23.0% in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of urban population who live in the largest city recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.9% in 1950.
- How does France rank for share of urban population who live in the largest city?
- France ranks 103rd out of 179 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of urban population who live in the largest city rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of urban population who live in the largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of the urban population living in the country's largest city (by population). City boundaries are defined using a consistent global approach based on satellite imagery and population data.