Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 35.9% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Guinea-Bissau, 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 Guinea-Bissau stood at 35.9%. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Guinea-Bissau peaked at 35.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
Guinea-Bissau ranks 115th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 Guinea-Bissau, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.0% | — |
| 1955 | 0.0% | — |
| 1960 | 0.0% | — |
| 1965 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 9.8% | — |
| 1975 | 11.9% | +21.7% |
| 1980 | 14.3% | +19.7% |
| 1985 | 16.4% | +15.1% |
| 1990 | 19.0% | +15.5% |
| 1995 | 20.4% | +7.4% |
| 2000 | 22.3% | +9.4% |
| 2005 | 24.1% | +8.2% |
| 2010 | 32.5% | +34.7% |
| 2015 | 35.0% | +7.6% |
| 2020 | 35.9% | +2.6% |
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 | 10.8% | 9.8% | 11.9% | 2 |
| 1980s | 15.3% | 14.3% | 16.4% | 2 |
| 1990s | 19.7% | 19.0% | 20.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 23.2% | 22.3% | 24.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 33.7% | 32.5% | 35.0% | 2 |
| 2020s | 35.9% | 35.9% | 35.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Guinea-Bissau
More population data for Guinea-Bissau
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1406 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.35 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1406 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1572 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 3,445 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4106 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Population density 165.91 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 302,001 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Guinea-Bissau?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Guinea-Bissau was 35.9% 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 Guinea-Bissau?
- The highest recorded value was 35.9% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Guinea-Bissau?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does Guinea-Bissau rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Guinea-Bissau ranks 115th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Guinea-Bissau?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Guinea-Bissau 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.