Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Bhutan
Bhutan: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 16.9% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Bhutan, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Bhutan stood at 16.9%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 17.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Bhutan peaked at 20.6% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
Bhutan ranks 178th of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Bhutan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.0% | — |
| 1955 | 0.0% | — |
| 1960 | 0.0% | — |
| 1965 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1975 | 18.2% | — |
| 1980 | 16.2% | -11.3% |
| 1985 | 14.3% | -11.6% |
| 1990 | 12.8% | -10.1% |
| 1995 | 12.5% | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 20.4% | +62.8% |
| 2005 | 20.6% | +1.0% |
| 2010 | 20.5% | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 19.6% | -4.1% |
| 2020 | 16.9% | -13.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1960s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 9.1% | 0.0% | 18.2% | 2 |
| 1980s | 15.2% | 14.3% | 16.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 12.7% | 12.5% | 12.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 20.5% | 20.4% | 20.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 20.1% | 19.6% | 20.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 16.9% | 16.9% | 16.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Bhutan
- 175 Belize 18.5% compare
- 176 Nepal 18.5% compare
- 177 Madagascar 18.3% compare
- 179 Solomon Islands 16.6% compare
- 180 Bosnia and Herzegovina 16.2% compare
- 181 Slovenia 15.5% compare
More population data for Bhutan
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.716 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.0644 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.716 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.7852 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 874.29 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.5776 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5679 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Population density 18.1 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 27,662 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Bhutan?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Bhutan was 16.9% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Bhutan?
- The highest recorded value was 20.6% in 2005.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Bhutan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does Bhutan rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Bhutan ranks 178th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Bhutan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bhutan data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.