Bahrain - Urban population (% of total population)

Urban population (% of total population) in Bahrain was 89.51 as of 2020. Its highest value over the past 60 years was 89.51 in 2020, while its lowest value was 82.32 in 1960.

Definition: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.

Source: United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.

See also:

Year Value
1960 82.32
1961 82.34
1962 82.36
1963 82.37
1964 82.39
1965 82.50
1966 82.76
1967 83.02
1968 83.28
1969 83.53
1970 83.78
1971 84.02
1972 84.27
1973 84.50
1974 84.74
1975 84.98
1976 85.21
1977 85.43
1978 85.66
1979 85.88
1980 86.10
1981 86.32
1982 86.53
1983 86.74
1984 86.95
1985 87.16
1986 87.36
1987 87.56
1988 87.75
1989 87.95
1990 88.14
1991 88.33
1992 88.40
1993 88.40
1994 88.39
1995 88.39
1996 88.39
1997 88.38
1998 88.38
1999 88.38
2000 88.37
2001 88.37
2002 88.37
2003 88.38
2004 88.40
2005 88.42
2006 88.45
2007 88.49
2008 88.53
2009 88.58
2010 88.63
2011 88.70
2012 88.76
2013 88.84
2014 88.92
2015 89.00
2016 89.09
2017 89.19
2018 89.29
2019 89.39
2020 89.51

Development Relevance: Explosive growth of cities globally signifies the demographic transition from rural to urban, and is associated with shifts from an agriculture-based economy to mass industry, technology, and service. In principle, cities offer a more favorable setting for the resolution of social and environmental problems than rural areas. Cities generate jobs and income, and deliver education, health care and other services. Cities also present opportunities for social mobilization and women's empowerment.

Limitations and Exceptions: Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverage. There is no consistent and universally accepted standard for distinguishing urban from rural areas, in part because of the wide variety of situations across countries. Most countries use an urban classification related to the size or characteristics of settlements. Some define urban areas based on the presence of certain infrastructure and services. And other countries designate urban areas based on administrative arrangements. Because of national differences in the characteristics that distinguish urban from rural areas, the distinction between urban and rural population is not amenable to a single definition that would be applicable to all countries. Estimates of the world's urban population would change significantly if China, India, and a few other populous nations were to change their definition of urban centers. Because the estimates of city and metropolitan area are based on national definitions of what constitutes a city or metropolitan area, cross-country comparisons should be made with caution.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The indicator is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Percentages urban are the numbers of persons residing in an area defined as ''urban'' per 100 total population. They are calculated by the Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Particular caution should be used in interpreting the figures for percentage urban for different countries. Countries differ in the way they classify population as "urban" or "rural." The population of a city or metropolitan area depends on the boundaries chosen.

Aggregation method: Weighted average

Periodicity: Annual

Classification

Topic: Environment Indicators

Sub-Topic: Density & urbanization