Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Philippines
Philippines: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 41.5% in 2020. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Philippines, 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 Philippines is 41.5%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Philippines peaked at 41.5% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 19.7%, in 1950.
Philippines ranks 95th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 Philippines, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 19.7% | — |
| 1955 | 21.4% | +8.9% |
| 1960 | 24.9% | +16.3% |
| 1965 | 26.8% | +7.6% |
| 1970 | 29.9% | +11.6% |
| 1975 | 33.1% | +10.4% |
| 1980 | 33.9% | +2.4% |
| 1985 | 34.4% | +1.5% |
| 1990 | 36.1% | +4.9% |
| 1995 | 36.8% | +2.0% |
| 2000 | 37.4% | +1.7% |
| 2005 | 38.2% | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 39.2% | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 40.6% | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 41.5% | +2.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 20.5% | 19.7% | 21.4% | 2 |
| 1960s | 25.9% | 24.9% | 26.8% | 2 |
| 1970s | 31.5% | 29.9% | 33.1% | 2 |
| 1980s | 34.1% | 33.9% | 34.4% | 2 |
| 1990s | 36.4% | 36.1% | 36.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 37.8% | 37.4% | 38.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 39.9% | 39.2% | 40.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 41.5% | 41.5% | 41.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Philippines
- 92 New Caledonia 42.3% compare
- 93 Armenia 41.7% compare
- 94 Uzbekistan 41.6% compare
- 96 Suriname 40.2% compare
- 97 Azerbaijan 39.9% compare
- 98 Benin 39.9% compare
More population data for Philippines
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0898 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.6532 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.167 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.6532 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.22 million people (2100)
- Population density 383.08 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6047 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.32 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Philippines?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Philippines was 41.5% 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 Philippines?
- The highest recorded value was 41.5% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Philippines?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.7% in 1950.
- How does Philippines rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Philippines ranks 95th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Philippines?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Philippines 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.