Denmark - Urban population

The value for Urban population in Denmark was 5,138,400 as of 2020. As the graph below shows, over the past 60 years this indicator reached a maximum value of 5,138,400 in 2020 and a minimum value of 3,374,572 in 1960.

Definition: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.

Source: World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.

See also:

Year Value
1960 3,374,572
1961 3,431,879
1962 3,490,118
1963 3,548,824
1964 3,608,088
1965 3,666,724
1966 3,723,679
1967 3,779,458
1968 3,828,566
1969 3,875,429
1970 3,930,043
1971 3,982,363
1972 4,029,765
1973 4,078,304
1974 4,121,150
1975 4,156,474
1976 4,189,964
1977 4,217,587
1978 4,245,152
1979 4,269,868
1980 4,289,152
1981 4,297,767
1982 4,300,240
1983 4,302,863
1984 4,306,181
1985 4,313,449
1986 4,324,701
1987 4,335,668
1988 4,343,212
1989 4,351,259
1990 4,361,727
1991 4,374,504
1992 4,390,390
1993 4,406,442
1994 4,422,754
1995 4,447,268
1996 4,473,929
1997 4,493,986
1998 4,511,769
1999 4,528,106
2000 4,544,013
2001 4,563,004
2002 4,582,981
2003 4,601,394
2004 4,624,434
2005 4,652,908
2006 4,681,382
2007 4,712,839
2008 4,751,268
2009 4,785,983
2010 4,815,111
2011 4,844,002
2012 4,872,608
2013 4,901,386
2014 4,932,961
2015 4,974,525
2016 5,020,143
2017 5,059,173
2018 5,091,100
2019 5,116,342
2020 5,138,400

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. To estimate urban populations, UN ratios of urban to total population were applied to the World Bank's estimates of total population. 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: Sum

Periodicity: Annual

Classification

Topic: Environment Indicators

Sub-Topic: Density & urbanization