Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Chile
Chile: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 65.2% in 2020. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Chile, 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 Chile stood at 65.2%. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Chile peaked at 65.2% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 30.1%, in 1950.
Chile ranks 23rd of 236 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Chile, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 30.1% | — |
| 1955 | 32.2% | +7.2% |
| 1960 | 35.7% | +10.7% |
| 1965 | 38.4% | +7.8% |
| 1970 | 42.7% | +11.1% |
| 1975 | 46.8% | +9.6% |
| 1980 | 50.3% | +7.5% |
| 1985 | 52.6% | +4.5% |
| 1990 | 53.6% | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 56.9% | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 59.3% | +4.3% |
| 2005 | 62.1% | +4.6% |
| 2010 | 63.7% | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 64.5% | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 65.2% | +1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 31.1% | 30.1% | 32.2% | 2 |
| 1960s | 37.1% | 35.7% | 38.4% | 2 |
| 1970s | 44.7% | 42.7% | 46.8% | 2 |
| 1980s | 51.5% | 50.3% | 52.6% | 2 |
| 1990s | 55.2% | 53.6% | 56.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 60.7% | 59.3% | 62.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 64.1% | 63.7% | 64.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 65.2% | 65.2% | 65.2% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Chile
More population data for Chile
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5123 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.14 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.32 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.14 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 411,277 people (2100)
- Population density 18.06 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.15 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.323 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Chile?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Chile was 65.2% 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 Chile?
- The highest recorded value was 65.2% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Chile?
- The lowest recorded value was 30.1% in 1950.
- How does Chile rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Chile ranks 23rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Chile?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Chile 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.