Urban area over the long-term in Portugal
Portugal: Urban area over the long-term was 2,142 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
2,142 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 2.0%
World rank
61st
of 202 countries
All-time high
2,142 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
52.11 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Portugal, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban area over the long-term in Portugal is 2,142 km² per grid cell, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 10.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Portugal peaked at 2,142 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 52.11 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Portugal 61st out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Portugal, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 52.11 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 79.13 km² per grid cell | +51.9% |
| 1200 | 76.43 km² per grid cell | -3.4% |
| 1300 | 291.12 km² per grid cell | +280.9% |
| 1400 | 134.91 km² per grid cell | -53.7% |
| 1500 | 110.98 km² per grid cell | -17.7% |
| 1600 | 162.77 km² per grid cell | +46.7% |
| 1700 | 147.97 km² per grid cell | -9.1% |
| 1710 | 195.64 km² per grid cell | +32.2% |
| 1720 | 202.03 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1730 | 206.16 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1740 | 210.36 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1750 | 214.66 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1760 | 219.04 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1770 | 223.51 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1780 | 228.07 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1790 | 232.72 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1800 | 237.47 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1810 | 242.32 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1820 | 247.26 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1830 | 261.23 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1840 | 276.56 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1850 | 284.07 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1860 | 298.23 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1870 | 323.98 km² per grid cell | +8.6% |
| 1880 | 353.15 km² per grid cell | +9.0% |
| 1890 | 407.68 km² per grid cell | +15.4% |
| 1900 | 503.66 km² per grid cell | +23.5% |
| 1910 | 615.99 km² per grid cell | +22.3% |
| 1920 | 616 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 615.03 km² per grid cell | -0.2% |
| 1940 | 615.4 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1950 | 615.2 km² per grid cell | -0.0% |
| 1951 | 615.35 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 615.49 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 615.63 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 615.78 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 615.92 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 616.06 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1957 | 616.19 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 616.33 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 616.47 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 622.91 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1961 | 637.05 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1962 | 651.47 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1963 | 665.66 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1964 | 678.62 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 689.62 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1966 | 698.11 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1967 | 704.53 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1968 | 710.44 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1969 | 718.1 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1970 | 729.33 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1971 | 745.2 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1972 | 765.03 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1973 | 788.34 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1974 | 814.22 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 841.76 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 870.98 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1977 | 901.83 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1978 | 933.51 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1979 | 964.87 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1980 | 995.02 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1981 | 1,023 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1982 | 1,052 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 1,079 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1984 | 1,104 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 1,128 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1986 | 1,151 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1987 | 1,172 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1988 | 1,189 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1989 | 1,205 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1990 | 1,221 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1991 | 1,238 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1992 | 1,259 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 1,280 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 1,302 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 1,364 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1996 | 1,392 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1997 | 1,418 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 1,441 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 1,465 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 1,491 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 1,515 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2002 | 1,540 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2003 | 1,565 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2004 | 1,589 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2005 | 1,673 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 2006 | 1,702 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 1,726 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 1,749 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 1,771 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 1,794 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 1,812 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 1,831 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 1,849 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 1,868 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 1,935 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2016 | 1,958 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 1,981 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 2,004 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 2,025 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 2,043 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2021 | 2,057 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 2,071 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 2,086 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 2,100 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2025 | 2,142 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 2,142 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 2.1× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 2,142 km² per grid cell is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 1.6× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Portugal changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1300 | +280.9% | 76.43 km² per grid cell | 291.12 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | -53.7% | 291.12 km² per grid cell | 134.91 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +51.9% | 52.11 km² per grid cell | 79.13 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +46.7% | 110.98 km² per grid cell | 162.77 km² per grid cell |
| 1710 | +32.2% | 147.97 km² per grid cell | 195.64 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 52.11 km² per grid cell | 52.11 km² per grid cell | 52.11 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 79.13 km² per grid cell | 79.13 km² per grid cell | 79.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 76.43 km² per grid cell | 76.43 km² per grid cell | 76.43 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 291.12 km² per grid cell | 291.12 km² per grid cell | 291.12 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 134.91 km² per grid cell | 134.91 km² per grid cell | 134.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 110.98 km² per grid cell | 110.98 km² per grid cell | 110.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 162.77 km² per grid cell | 162.77 km² per grid cell | 162.77 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 147.97 km² per grid cell | 147.97 km² per grid cell | 147.97 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 195.64 km² per grid cell | 195.64 km² per grid cell | 195.64 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 202.03 km² per grid cell | 202.03 km² per grid cell | 202.03 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 206.16 km² per grid cell | 206.16 km² per grid cell | 206.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 210.36 km² per grid cell | 210.36 km² per grid cell | 210.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 214.66 km² per grid cell | 214.66 km² per grid cell | 214.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 219.04 km² per grid cell | 219.04 km² per grid cell | 219.04 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 223.51 km² per grid cell | 223.51 km² per grid cell | 223.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 228.07 km² per grid cell | 228.07 km² per grid cell | 228.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 232.72 km² per grid cell | 232.72 km² per grid cell | 232.72 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 237.47 km² per grid cell | 237.47 km² per grid cell | 237.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 242.32 km² per grid cell | 242.32 km² per grid cell | 242.32 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 247.26 km² per grid cell | 247.26 km² per grid cell | 247.26 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 261.23 km² per grid cell | 261.23 km² per grid cell | 261.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 276.56 km² per grid cell | 276.56 km² per grid cell | 276.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 284.07 km² per grid cell | 284.07 km² per grid cell | 284.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 298.23 km² per grid cell | 298.23 km² per grid cell | 298.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 323.98 km² per grid cell | 323.98 km² per grid cell | 323.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 353.15 km² per grid cell | 353.15 km² per grid cell | 353.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 407.68 km² per grid cell | 407.68 km² per grid cell | 407.68 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 503.66 km² per grid cell | 503.66 km² per grid cell | 503.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 615.99 km² per grid cell | 615.99 km² per grid cell | 615.99 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 616 km² per grid cell | 616 km² per grid cell | 616 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 615.03 km² per grid cell | 615.03 km² per grid cell | 615.03 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 615.4 km² per grid cell | 615.4 km² per grid cell | 615.4 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 615.84 km² per grid cell | 615.2 km² per grid cell | 616.47 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 677.65 km² per grid cell | 622.91 km² per grid cell | 718.1 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 835.51 km² per grid cell | 729.33 km² per grid cell | 964.87 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,110 km² per grid cell | 995.02 km² per grid cell | 1,205 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,338 km² per grid cell | 1,221 km² per grid cell | 1,465 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,632 km² per grid cell | 1,491 km² per grid cell | 1,771 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,906 km² per grid cell | 1,794 km² per grid cell | 2,025 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,083 km² per grid cell | 2,043 km² per grid cell | 2,142 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More reference data data for Portugal
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5144 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.4372 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0472 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.72 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 6.9 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2572 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Portugal?
- Urban area over the long-term in Portugal was 2,142 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 2,142 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.11 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Portugal rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Portugal ranks 61st out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Portugal data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 108 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.