Syrian Arab Republic - Urban population (% of total population)

Urban population (% of total population) in Syrian Arab Republic was 55.48 as of 2020. Its highest value over the past 60 years was 55.60 in 2010, while its lowest value was 36.81 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 36.81
1961 37.40
1962 38.04
1963 38.69
1964 39.35
1965 40.01
1966 40.67
1967 41.33
1968 42.00
1969 42.67
1970 43.35
1971 43.75
1972 44.08
1973 44.41
1974 44.73
1975 45.06
1976 45.39
1977 45.72
1978 46.05
1979 46.38
1980 46.71
1981 47.04
1982 47.27
1983 47.48
1984 47.68
1985 47.89
1986 48.10
1987 48.31
1988 48.52
1989 48.72
1990 48.93
1991 49.14
1992 49.35
1993 49.56
1994 49.76
1995 50.10
1996 50.47
1997 50.84
1998 51.21
1999 51.58
2000 51.95
2001 52.31
2002 52.68
2003 53.05
2004 53.42
2005 53.78
2006 54.15
2007 54.51
2008 54.88
2009 55.24
2010 55.60
2011 54.58
2012 53.56
2013 52.53
2014 51.50
2015 52.17
2016 52.84
2017 53.50
2018 54.16
2019 54.82
2020 55.48

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