Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Jamaica
Jamaica: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 46.1% in 2020. ▬ Flat
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Jamaica, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Jamaica recorded 46.1% for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in 2020.
The figure is down 0.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Jamaica peaked at 49.3% in 1975 and was at its lowest, 36.1%, in 1950.
That places Jamaica 75th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Jamaica, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 36.1% | — |
| 1955 | 45.7% | +26.7% |
| 1960 | 48.6% | +6.4% |
| 1965 | 48.9% | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 49.2% | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 49.3% | +0.2% |
| 1980 | 48.2% | -2.2% |
| 1985 | 46.8% | -3.0% |
| 1990 | 46.8% | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 46.5% | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 47.1% | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 47.0% | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 46.2% | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 47.1% | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 46.1% | -2.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 40.9% | 36.1% | 45.7% | 2 |
| 1960s | 48.8% | 48.6% | 48.9% | 2 |
| 1970s | 49.3% | 49.2% | 49.3% | 2 |
| 1980s | 47.5% | 46.8% | 48.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 46.7% | 46.5% | 46.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 47.0% | 47.0% | 47.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 46.6% | 46.2% | 47.1% | 2 |
| 2020s | 46.1% | 46.1% | 46.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
- 72 Cuba 46.4% compare
- 73 Yemen 46.4% compare
- 74 Netherlands 46.3% compare
- 76 Greece 46.0% compare
- 77 New Zealand 45.8% compare
- 78 Trinidad and Tobago 45.7% compare
More population data for Jamaica
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.76 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.7 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.76 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -3.12 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 2,494 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1905 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -1.8% (2100)
- Population density 98.5 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 35,987 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Jamaica?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Jamaica was 46.1% 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 Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 49.3% in 1975.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.1% in 1950.
- How does Jamaica rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Jamaica ranks 75th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Jamaica 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.