Share of population living in rural areas in Switzerland
Switzerland: Share of population living in rural areas was 24.0% in 2020. ▼ Falling
Share of population living in rural areas in Switzerland, 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 Switzerland is 24.0%, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is down 7.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in Switzerland peaked at 39.9% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 24.0%, in 2020.
Switzerland ranks 133rd of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in rural areas in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 39.9% | — |
| 1955 | 38.4% | -3.8% |
| 1960 | 36.9% | -3.9% |
| 1965 | 34.7% | -6.1% |
| 1970 | 33.4% | -3.6% |
| 1975 | 32.8% | -1.8% |
| 1980 | 33.2% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | 32.5% | -2.0% |
| 1990 | 31.3% | -3.8% |
| 1995 | 29.5% | -5.8% |
| 2000 | 28.7% | -2.6% |
| 2005 | 27.8% | -3.3% |
| 2010 | 25.8% | -6.9% |
| 2015 | 24.9% | -3.8% |
| 2020 | 24.0% | -3.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 39.2% | 38.4% | 39.9% | 2 |
| 1960s | 35.8% | 34.7% | 36.9% | 2 |
| 1970s | 33.1% | 32.8% | 33.4% | 2 |
| 1980s | 32.8% | 32.5% | 33.2% | 2 |
| 1990s | 30.4% | 29.5% | 31.3% | 2 |
| 2000s | 28.2% | 27.8% | 28.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 25.4% | 24.9% | 25.8% | 2 |
| 2020s | 24.0% | 24.0% | 24.0% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
- 130 Liechtenstein 24.5% compare
- 131 Cyprus 24.3% compare
- 132 Iceland 24.1% compare
- 134 El Salvador 23.9% compare
- 135 Canada 23.8% compare
- 136 New Zealand 23.7% compare
More population data for Switzerland
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.0595 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2093 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 9,754 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4828 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1371 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Population density 230.99 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 392,499 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in Switzerland?
- Share of population living in rural areas in Switzerland was 24.0% 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 39.9% in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.0% in 2020.
- How does Switzerland rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- Switzerland ranks 133rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.