Share of population living in rural areas in Nauru
Nauru: Share of population living in rural areas was 7.6% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in rural areas in Nauru, 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 Nauru is 7.6%, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is down 34.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in Nauru peaked at 100.0% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 7.6%, in 2020.
Nauru ranks 216th of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in rural areas in Nauru, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 100.0% | — |
| 1955 | 100.0% | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 100.0% | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 100.0% | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 18.0% | -82.0% |
| 1975 | 17.5% | -2.8% |
| 1980 | 19.2% | +10.0% |
| 1985 | 11.4% | -40.7% |
| 1990 | 12.3% | +7.4% |
| 1995 | 12.9% | +5.5% |
| 2000 | 13.5% | +4.6% |
| 2005 | 14.2% | +5.2% |
| 2010 | 11.7% | -17.8% |
| 2015 | 9.0% | -22.9% |
| 2020 | 7.6% | -15.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2 |
| 1960s | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 17.8% | 17.5% | 18.0% | 2 |
| 1980s | 15.3% | 11.4% | 19.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 12.6% | 12.3% | 12.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 13.9% | 13.5% | 14.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 10.4% | 9.0% | 11.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 7.6% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Nauru
More population data for Nauru
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1598 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2049)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1598 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.05 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 14.7 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.5419 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2823 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 1,034 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1,413 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in Nauru?
- Share of population living in rural areas in Nauru was 7.6% 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 rural areas recorded in Nauru?
- The highest recorded value was 100.0% in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Nauru?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.6% in 2020.
- How does Nauru rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- Nauru ranks 216th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Nauru?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nauru 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.