Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Netherlands
Netherlands: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 95.9% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Netherlands, 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 Netherlands stood at 95.9%. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 6.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Netherlands peaked at 95.9% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 56.6%, in 1950.
Netherlands ranks 21st of 236 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 76 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 58.1% | 56.6% | 59.8% | 10 |
| 1960s | 60.9% | 59.9% | 61.8% | 10 |
| 1970s | 63.9% | 62.1% | 64.8% | 10 |
| 1980s | 67.2% | 65.0% | 68.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 72.0% | 69.0% | 77.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 82.8% | 78.5% | 86.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 90.1% | 87.4% | 93.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 95.1% | 94.3% | 95.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Netherlands
- 18 San Marino 97.2% compare
- 23 Uruguay 95.7% compare
- 24 United States Virgin Islands 95.4% compare
More population data for Netherlands
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 757,165 people (2100)
- Population density 519.97 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.43 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 263,399 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.43 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.43 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 0.0% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.43 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in Netherlands?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Netherlands was 95.9% 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 Netherlands?
- The highest recorded value was 95.9% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Netherlands?
- The lowest recorded value was 56.6% in 1950.
- How does Netherlands rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- Netherlands ranks 21st out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Netherlands?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Netherlands 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.