Share of population living in urban and rural areas in France
France: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 62.1% in 2020. ▬ Flat
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in France, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in urban and rural areas in France is 62.1%, measured in 2020.
The figure is down 0.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in France peaked at 62.8% in 1980 and was at its lowest, 58.4%, in 1950.
France ranks 173rd of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 58.4% | — |
| 1955 | 59.5% | +1.9% |
| 1960 | 60.6% | +1.8% |
| 1965 | 61.5% | +1.6% |
| 1970 | 62.2% | +1.0% |
| 1975 | 62.8% | +1.0% |
| 1980 | 62.8% | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 62.8% | -0.0% |
| 1990 | 62.8% | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 62.8% | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 62.7% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 62.4% | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 62.2% | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 62.2% | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 62.1% | -0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 58.9% | 58.4% | 59.5% | 2 |
| 1960s | 61.1% | 60.6% | 61.5% | 2 |
| 1970s | 62.5% | 62.2% | 62.8% | 2 |
| 1980s | 62.8% | 62.8% | 62.8% | 2 |
| 1990s | 62.8% | 62.8% | 62.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 62.5% | 62.4% | 62.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 62.2% | 62.2% | 62.2% | 2 |
| 2020s | 62.1% | 62.1% | 62.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near France
- 170 British Virgin Islands 62.9% compare
- 171 Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba 62.6% compare
- 172 Hungary 62.6% compare
- 174 French Polynesia 61.6% compare
- 175 Finland 60.9% compare
- 176 Thailand 60.6% compare
More reference data data for France
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 18.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 11.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 106.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.3 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in France?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in France was 62.1% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 62.8% in 1980.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 58.4% in 1950.
- How does France rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- France ranks 173rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major 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
Estimated share of the population living in urban areas (the sum of cities and towns and suburbs). Urban areas are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.