POPULATION
These countries are basically 100% urban
Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Singapore report 100% of their population living in urban areas. Here's why — and where the least urbanized countries are.
The short answer
Four economies are classified as 100% urban: Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Singapore. Qatar (99.4%) and the Netherlands (95.9%) follow closely. The world average is 57.8%.
The full top 10
| Rank | Country / economy | Urban population (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahrain | 100% |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 100% |
| 3 | Kuwait | 100% |
| 4 | Singapore | 100% |
| 5 | Qatar | 99% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 96% |
| 7 | Uruguay | 96% |
| 8 | Puerto Rico | 94% |
| 9 | Jordan | 93% |
| 10 | Argentina | 92% |
What the number means
Urban population share measures the percentage of people living in areas each country itself classifies as urban, usually cities and towns above a population or density threshold. Definitions vary by country.
Why some places are 100%
The economies at the top are small city-states or territories with little to no land classified as rural — there's effectively no 'countryside' left to count separately.
Where urbanization is lowest
Papua New Guinea (15.8%), Malawi (17.6%) and Niger (18.4%) have the lowest urban shares, reflecting large rural, agriculture-based populations.
How we made this
Data: World Bank, World Development Indicators (indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS), 2025. We compare economies with at least one million people.
Frequently asked questions
Is a higher urbanization rate always 'better'?
Not necessarily — it reflects how people live, not quality of life. Rural areas can have lower costs and stronger community ties; cities can offer better access to jobs, healthcare and education.
Where does South Korea rank?
South Korea is 34th, at 81.2% urban.