Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Panama
Panama: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 48.6% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Panama, 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 Panama stood at 48.6%. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 11.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Panama peaked at 48.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 10.8%, in 1950.
That places Panama 63rd 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 Panama, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 10.8% | — |
| 1955 | 12.1% | +11.3% |
| 1960 | 13.3% | +10.0% |
| 1965 | 14.5% | +8.8% |
| 1970 | 15.8% | +9.4% |
| 1975 | 16.4% | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 20.3% | +23.8% |
| 1985 | 21.3% | +4.9% |
| 1990 | 23.9% | +12.3% |
| 1995 | 32.6% | +36.5% |
| 2000 | 42.5% | +30.4% |
| 2005 | 42.7% | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 43.6% | +2.0% |
| 2015 | 46.1% | +5.6% |
| 2020 | 48.6% | +5.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 11.5% | 10.8% | 12.1% | 2 |
| 1960s | 13.9% | 13.3% | 14.5% | 2 |
| 1970s | 16.1% | 15.8% | 16.4% | 2 |
| 1980s | 20.8% | 20.3% | 21.3% | 2 |
| 1990s | 28.3% | 23.9% | 32.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 42.6% | 42.5% | 42.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 44.8% | 43.6% | 46.1% | 2 |
| 2020s | 48.6% | 48.6% | 48.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Panama
- 60 Ghana 48.9% compare
- 61 South Africa 48.8% compare
- 62 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 48.7% compare
- 64 Bangladesh 47.6% compare
- 65 Russian Federation 47.6% compare
- 66 Sudan 47.6% compare
More population data for Panama
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.192 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.53 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.192 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 267,694 people (2100)
- Population density 79.6 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4333 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.11 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Panama?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Panama was 48.6% 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 Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 48.6% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.8% in 1950.
- How does Panama rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Panama ranks 63rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama 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.