Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Samoa
Samoa: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 17.5% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Samoa, 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
The most recent figure for share of population living in urban and rural areas in Samoa is 17.5%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Samoa peaked at 22.0% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 12.7%, in 1950.
That places Samoa 231st out of 236 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 76 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 16.8% | 12.7% | 18.8% | 10 |
| 1960s | 19.3% | 18.9% | 20.0% | 10 |
| 1970s | 20.9% | 20.3% | 21.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 20.8% | 20.5% | 21.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 21.5% | 21.0% | 21.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 21.3% | 20.1% | 22.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 19.2% | 18.4% | 19.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.6% | 17.5% | 18.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Samoa
- 228 Sri Lanka 20.5% compare
- 229 Niger 18.4% compare
- 230 Malawi 17.6% compare
- 232 Papua New Guinea 15.8% compare
- 234 Montserrat 9.0% compare
More population data for Samoa
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.3% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 25,608 people (2100)
- Population density 137.97 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.3% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.8 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.8 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.8 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.9% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 3.83 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate vs. GDP per capita 3.83 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in Samoa?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Samoa was 17.5% 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 Samoa?
- The highest recorded value was 22.0% in 2001.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Samoa?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.7% in 1950.
- How does Samoa rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- Samoa ranks 231st out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Samoa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Samoa 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.