Urban area over the long-term in Switzerland
Switzerland: Urban area over the long-term was 1,802 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1,802 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.1%
World rank
69th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1,802 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Switzerland, 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 Switzerland is 1,802 km² per grid cell, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Switzerland peaked at 1,802 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Switzerland ranks 69th of 202 countries on this measure, 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 Switzerland, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1200 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1300 | 0 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1400 | 3.23 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1500 | 14.77 km² per grid cell | +357.1% |
| 1600 | 19.23 km² per grid cell | +30.2% |
| 1700 | 31.64 km² per grid cell | +64.5% |
| 1710 | 35 km² per grid cell | +10.6% |
| 1720 | 39.82 km² per grid cell | +13.8% |
| 1730 | 45.15 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1740 | 50.97 km² per grid cell | +12.9% |
| 1750 | 57.16 km² per grid cell | +12.1% |
| 1760 | 63.51 km² per grid cell | +11.1% |
| 1770 | 69.76 km² per grid cell | +9.8% |
| 1780 | 75.56 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1790 | 80.62 km² per grid cell | +6.7% |
| 1800 | 84.72 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1810 | 87.85 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1820 | 97.8 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 1830 | 105.36 km² per grid cell | +7.7% |
| 1840 | 112.86 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1850 | 121.09 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1860 | 127.51 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1870 | 138.12 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1880 | 151.19 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1890 | 164.79 km² per grid cell | +9.0% |
| 1900 | 199.05 km² per grid cell | +20.8% |
| 1910 | 247.17 km² per grid cell | +24.2% |
| 1920 | 284.47 km² per grid cell | +15.1% |
| 1930 | 332.56 km² per grid cell | +16.9% |
| 1940 | 388.96 km² per grid cell | +17.0% |
| 1950 | 480.42 km² per grid cell | +23.5% |
| 1951 | 493.96 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1952 | 508.86 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1953 | 524.02 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1954 | 539.21 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1955 | 554.3 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1956 | 569.4 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1957 | 584.75 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1958 | 600.84 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1959 | 618.24 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1960 | 637.47 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1961 | 658.84 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1962 | 681.92 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1963 | 706.09 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1964 | 730.18 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1965 | 753.25 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1966 | 774.93 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1967 | 795.31 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1968 | 814.57 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1969 | 833.07 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 851.09 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1971 | 863.01 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1972 | 870.02 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1973 | 876.11 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1974 | 880.92 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1975 | 884.29 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1976 | 886.1 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1977 | 886.65 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1978 | 886.71 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 887.31 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1980 | 889.24 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1981 | 909.73 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1982 | 944.25 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1983 | 980.03 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1984 | 1,017 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1985 | 1,053 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1986 | 1,091 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1987 | 1,128 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1988 | 1,166 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1989 | 1,204 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1990 | 1,243 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1991 | 1,269 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 1,284 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1993 | 1,300 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 1,315 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 1,328 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1996 | 1,338 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1997 | 1,345 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1998 | 1,352 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 1,360 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 1,369 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 1,382 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 1,395 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 1,408 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 1,421 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 1,434 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 1,448 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2007 | 1,461 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 1,475 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2009 | 1,488 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 1,502 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2011 | 1,522 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 1,542 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2013 | 1,562 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 1,582 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 1,602 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 1,622 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 1,642 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 1,663 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 1,683 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 1,704 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2021 | 1,724 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 1,743 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 1,763 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 1,783 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2025 | 1,802 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 1,802 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 1.8× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 1,802 km² per grid cell is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 1.3× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Switzerland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 | +357.1% | 3.23 km² per grid cell | 14.77 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +64.5% | 19.23 km² per grid cell | 31.64 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +30.2% | 14.77 km² per grid cell | 19.23 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 0 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 3.23 km² per grid cell | 3.23 km² per grid cell | 3.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 14.77 km² per grid cell | 14.77 km² per grid cell | 14.77 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 19.23 km² per grid cell | 19.23 km² per grid cell | 19.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 31.64 km² per grid cell | 31.64 km² per grid cell | 31.64 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 35 km² per grid cell | 35 km² per grid cell | 35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 39.82 km² per grid cell | 39.82 km² per grid cell | 39.82 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 45.15 km² per grid cell | 45.15 km² per grid cell | 45.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 50.97 km² per grid cell | 50.97 km² per grid cell | 50.97 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 57.16 km² per grid cell | 57.16 km² per grid cell | 57.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 63.51 km² per grid cell | 63.51 km² per grid cell | 63.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 69.76 km² per grid cell | 69.76 km² per grid cell | 69.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 75.56 km² per grid cell | 75.56 km² per grid cell | 75.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 80.62 km² per grid cell | 80.62 km² per grid cell | 80.62 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 84.72 km² per grid cell | 84.72 km² per grid cell | 84.72 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 87.85 km² per grid cell | 87.85 km² per grid cell | 87.85 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 97.8 km² per grid cell | 97.8 km² per grid cell | 97.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 105.36 km² per grid cell | 105.36 km² per grid cell | 105.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 112.86 km² per grid cell | 112.86 km² per grid cell | 112.86 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 121.09 km² per grid cell | 121.09 km² per grid cell | 121.09 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 127.51 km² per grid cell | 127.51 km² per grid cell | 127.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 138.12 km² per grid cell | 138.12 km² per grid cell | 138.12 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 151.19 km² per grid cell | 151.19 km² per grid cell | 151.19 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 164.79 km² per grid cell | 164.79 km² per grid cell | 164.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 199.05 km² per grid cell | 199.05 km² per grid cell | 199.05 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 247.17 km² per grid cell | 247.17 km² per grid cell | 247.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 284.47 km² per grid cell | 284.47 km² per grid cell | 284.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 332.56 km² per grid cell | 332.56 km² per grid cell | 332.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 388.96 km² per grid cell | 388.96 km² per grid cell | 388.96 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 547.4 km² per grid cell | 480.42 km² per grid cell | 618.24 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 738.56 km² per grid cell | 637.47 km² per grid cell | 833.07 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 877.22 km² per grid cell | 851.09 km² per grid cell | 887.31 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,038 km² per grid cell | 889.24 km² per grid cell | 1,204 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,313 km² per grid cell | 1,243 km² per grid cell | 1,360 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,428 km² per grid cell | 1,369 km² per grid cell | 1,488 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,592 km² per grid cell | 1,502 km² per grid cell | 1,683 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,753 km² per grid cell | 1,704 km² per grid cell | 1,802 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More reference data data for Switzerland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5507 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.2683 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.24 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.28 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 6.28 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.272 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Switzerland?
- Urban area over the long-term in Switzerland was 1,802 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 1,802 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Switzerland rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Switzerland ranks 69th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.