Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mali
Mali: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 25.8% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mali, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mali is 25.8%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 16.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mali peaked at 25.8% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 2.5%, in 1950.
That places Mali 156th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it 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 Mali, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2.5% | — |
| 1955 | 2.8% | +11.3% |
| 1960 | 2.9% | +4.7% |
| 1965 | 3.1% | +7.6% |
| 1970 | 4.7% | +49.1% |
| 1975 | 6.0% | +28.8% |
| 1980 | 7.2% | +18.9% |
| 1985 | 9.1% | +26.1% |
| 1990 | 12.4% | +37.0% |
| 1995 | 13.7% | +10.6% |
| 2000 | 16.1% | +17.6% |
| 2005 | 18.9% | +16.9% |
| 2010 | 22.2% | +17.4% |
| 2015 | 24.0% | +8.2% |
| 2020 | 25.8% | +7.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.7% | 2.5% | 2.8% | 2 |
| 1960s | 3.0% | 2.9% | 3.1% | 2 |
| 1970s | 5.4% | 4.7% | 6.0% | 2 |
| 1980s | 8.1% | 7.2% | 9.1% | 2 |
| 1990s | 13.1% | 12.4% | 13.7% | 2 |
| 2000s | 17.5% | 16.1% | 18.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 23.1% | 22.2% | 24.0% | 2 |
| 2020s | 25.8% | 25.8% | 25.8% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Mali
- 153 Mozambique 27.4% compare
- 154 Hungary 27.3% compare
- 155 Finland 26.1% compare
- 157 Norway 25.3% compare
- 158 Central African Republic 25.1% compare
- 159 Timor-Leste 25.0% compare
More population data for Mali
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.5014 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.3916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.717 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.3916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.87 million people (2100)
- Population density 65.03 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4401 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.95 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mali?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Mali was 25.8% 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 Mali?
- The highest recorded value was 25.8% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Mali?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.5% in 1950.
- How does Mali rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Mali ranks 156th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Mali?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mali 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.