Urban area over the long-term in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Urban area over the long-term was 14,143 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
14,143 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
11th
of 202 countries
All-time high
14,143 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
27.1 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in United Kingdom, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 14,143 km² per grid cell for urban area over the long-term in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.6% on the previous year and up 7.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in United Kingdom peaked at 14,143 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 27.1 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
United Kingdom ranks 11th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 27.1 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 52.65 km² per grid cell | +94.3% |
| 1200 | 65.71 km² per grid cell | +24.8% |
| 1300 | 88.29 km² per grid cell | +34.4% |
| 1400 | 39.58 km² per grid cell | -55.2% |
| 1500 | 39.58 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1600 | 39.58 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1700 | 39.58 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1710 | 93.19 km² per grid cell | +135.5% |
| 1720 | 164.48 km² per grid cell | +76.5% |
| 1730 | 243.67 km² per grid cell | +48.1% |
| 1740 | 331.46 km² per grid cell | +36.0% |
| 1750 | 428.76 km² per grid cell | +29.4% |
| 1760 | 475.08 km² per grid cell | +10.8% |
| 1770 | 524.72 km² per grid cell | +10.4% |
| 1780 | 577.95 km² per grid cell | +10.1% |
| 1790 | 635.1 km² per grid cell | +9.9% |
| 1800 | 696.54 km² per grid cell | +9.7% |
| 1810 | 783.4 km² per grid cell | +12.5% |
| 1820 | 1,098 km² per grid cell | +40.1% |
| 1830 | 1,384 km² per grid cell | +26.0% |
| 1840 | 1,819 km² per grid cell | +31.5% |
| 1850 | 2,071 km² per grid cell | +13.9% |
| 1860 | 2,446 km² per grid cell | +18.1% |
| 1870 | 2,934 km² per grid cell | +20.0% |
| 1880 | 3,547 km² per grid cell | +20.9% |
| 1890 | 4,193 km² per grid cell | +18.2% |
| 1900 | 4,967 km² per grid cell | +18.5% |
| 1910 | 5,805 km² per grid cell | +16.9% |
| 1920 | 6,459 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 1930 | 7,139 km² per grid cell | +10.5% |
| 1940 | 7,809 km² per grid cell | +9.4% |
| 1950 | 8,717 km² per grid cell | +11.6% |
| 1951 | 8,727 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1952 | 8,745 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1953 | 8,768 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1954 | 8,794 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1955 | 8,824 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1956 | 8,855 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1957 | 8,890 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1958 | 8,930 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1959 | 8,977 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1960 | 9,032 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1961 | 9,093 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1962 | 9,154 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1963 | 9,218 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1964 | 9,280 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 1965 | 9,337 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1966 | 9,385 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1967 | 9,427 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1968 | 9,462 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1969 | 9,491 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1970 | 9,515 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1971 | 9,572 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 1972 | 9,784 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1973 | 9,984 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1974 | 10,172 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 10,347 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1976 | 10,510 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1977 | 10,662 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1978 | 10,803 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1979 | 10,938 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 11,069 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1981 | 11,166 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1982 | 11,182 km² per grid cell | +0.1% |
| 1983 | 11,202 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1984 | 11,226 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 11,253 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1986 | 11,284 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1987 | 11,321 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1988 | 11,359 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1989 | 11,401 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 11,444 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1991 | 11,488 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 11,539 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 11,591 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 11,641 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 11,692 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 11,745 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1997 | 11,798 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 11,850 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 11,905 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 11,968 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 12,030 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 12,096 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 12,158 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 12,220 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 12,292 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 12,378 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 12,457 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 12,546 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 12,632 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 12,722 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 12,816 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 12,910 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 13,007 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 13,102 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 13,197 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 13,304 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 13,402 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 13,499 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 13,597 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 13,690 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 13,779 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 13,869 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 13,958 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 14,053 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2025 | 14,143 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 14,143 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 14.1× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 14,143 km² per grid cell is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 10.3× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in United Kingdom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1710 | +135.5% | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 93.19 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +94.3% | 27.1 km² per grid cell | 52.65 km² per grid cell |
| 1720 | +76.5% | 93.19 km² per grid cell | 164.48 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | -55.2% | 88.29 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell |
| 1730 | +48.1% | 164.48 km² per grid cell | 243.67 km² per grid cell |
| 1820 | +40.1% | 783.4 km² per grid cell | 1,098 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 27.1 km² per grid cell | 27.1 km² per grid cell | 27.1 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 52.65 km² per grid cell | 52.65 km² per grid cell | 52.65 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 65.71 km² per grid cell | 65.71 km² per grid cell | 65.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 88.29 km² per grid cell | 88.29 km² per grid cell | 88.29 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 39.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 93.19 km² per grid cell | 93.19 km² per grid cell | 93.19 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 164.48 km² per grid cell | 164.48 km² per grid cell | 164.48 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 243.67 km² per grid cell | 243.67 km² per grid cell | 243.67 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 331.46 km² per grid cell | 331.46 km² per grid cell | 331.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 428.76 km² per grid cell | 428.76 km² per grid cell | 428.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 475.08 km² per grid cell | 475.08 km² per grid cell | 475.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 524.72 km² per grid cell | 524.72 km² per grid cell | 524.72 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 577.95 km² per grid cell | 577.95 km² per grid cell | 577.95 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 635.1 km² per grid cell | 635.1 km² per grid cell | 635.1 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 696.54 km² per grid cell | 696.54 km² per grid cell | 696.54 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 783.4 km² per grid cell | 783.4 km² per grid cell | 783.4 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 1,098 km² per grid cell | 1,098 km² per grid cell | 1,098 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 1,384 km² per grid cell | 1,384 km² per grid cell | 1,384 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 1,819 km² per grid cell | 1,819 km² per grid cell | 1,819 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 2,071 km² per grid cell | 2,071 km² per grid cell | 2,071 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 2,446 km² per grid cell | 2,446 km² per grid cell | 2,446 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 2,934 km² per grid cell | 2,934 km² per grid cell | 2,934 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 3,547 km² per grid cell | 3,547 km² per grid cell | 3,547 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 4,193 km² per grid cell | 4,193 km² per grid cell | 4,193 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 4,967 km² per grid cell | 4,967 km² per grid cell | 4,967 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 5,805 km² per grid cell | 5,805 km² per grid cell | 5,805 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 6,459 km² per grid cell | 6,459 km² per grid cell | 6,459 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 7,139 km² per grid cell | 7,139 km² per grid cell | 7,139 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 7,809 km² per grid cell | 7,809 km² per grid cell | 7,809 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 8,823 km² per grid cell | 8,717 km² per grid cell | 8,977 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 9,288 km² per grid cell | 9,032 km² per grid cell | 9,491 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 10,229 km² per grid cell | 9,515 km² per grid cell | 10,938 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 11,246 km² per grid cell | 11,069 km² per grid cell | 11,401 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 11,669 km² per grid cell | 11,444 km² per grid cell | 11,905 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 12,278 km² per grid cell | 11,968 km² per grid cell | 12,632 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 13,156 km² per grid cell | 12,722 km² per grid cell | 13,597 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 13,915 km² per grid cell | 13,690 km² per grid cell | 14,143 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in United Kingdom?
- Urban area over the long-term in United Kingdom was 14,143 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 14,143 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 27.1 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does United Kingdom rank for urban area over the long-term?
- United Kingdom ranks 11th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.