Share of population living in rural areas in Liberia
Liberia: Share of population living in rural areas was 41.0% in 2020. ▼ Falling
Share of population living in rural areas in Liberia, 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 rural areas in Liberia is 41.0%, measured in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in Liberia peaked at 61.6% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 38.5%, in 1990.
That places Liberia 52nd out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in rural areas in Liberia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 61.6% | — |
| 1955 | 61.5% | -0.2% |
| 1960 | 61.0% | -0.8% |
| 1965 | 60.2% | -1.3% |
| 1970 | 59.2% | -1.6% |
| 1975 | 58.1% | -2.0% |
| 1980 | 56.8% | -2.1% |
| 1985 | 53.2% | -6.4% |
| 1990 | 38.5% | -27.6% |
| 1995 | 54.1% | +40.6% |
| 2000 | 47.9% | -11.5% |
| 2005 | 41.4% | -13.6% |
| 2010 | 45.6% | +10.1% |
| 2015 | 43.3% | -4.9% |
| 2020 | 41.0% | -5.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 61.6% | 61.5% | 61.6% | 2 |
| 1960s | 60.6% | 60.2% | 61.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 58.7% | 58.1% | 59.2% | 2 |
| 1980s | 55.0% | 53.2% | 56.8% | 2 |
| 1990s | 46.3% | 38.5% | 54.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 44.6% | 41.4% | 47.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 44.4% | 43.3% | 45.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 41.0% | 41.0% | 41.0% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Liberia
More population data for Liberia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1439 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7859 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1439 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2874 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 8,891 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.07 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3986 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 131.49 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 852,118 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in Liberia?
- Share of population living in rural areas in Liberia was 41.0% 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 rural areas recorded in Liberia?
- The highest recorded value was 61.6% in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Liberia?
- The lowest recorded value was 38.5% in 1990.
- How does Liberia rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- Liberia ranks 52nd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Liberia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Liberia 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 rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in rural areas. Rural areas are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.