Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Bhutan
Bhutan: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 43.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Bhutan, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Bhutan stood at 43.4%. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Bhutan peaked at 43.4% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 2.1%, in 1950.
Bhutan ranks 179th 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.2% | 2.1% | 2.4% | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.7% | 2.5% | 3.0% | 10 |
| 1970s | 6.6% | 3.2% | 11.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 15.8% | 12.2% | 19.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 23.6% | 20.2% | 26.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 30.6% | 27.6% | 33.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 36.4% | 33.9% | 39.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.4% | 39.7% | 43.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bhutan
More population data for Bhutan
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Population density 18.1 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 27,662 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.45 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.45 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.45 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.46 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.42 children per women (2023)
- Birth rate by women's age group 9.36 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in Bhutan?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Bhutan was 43.4% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Bhutan?
- The highest recorded value was 43.4% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Bhutan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.1% in 1950.
- How does Bhutan rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- Bhutan ranks 179th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Bhutan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bhutan data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.