Population in the largest city in OECD members
OECD members: Population in the largest city was 18.1% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Population in the largest city in OECD members, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN). Measured in % of urban population.
Analysis
In 2025, population in the largest city in OECD members stood at 18.1%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in the largest city in OECD members peaked at 18.9% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 18.0%, in 1960.
OECD members ranks 21st of 43 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Population in the largest city in OECD members, year by year
| Year | % of urban population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 18.0% | — |
| 1961 | 18.1% | +0.3% |
| 1962 | 18.1% | +0.2% |
| 1963 | 18.1% | +0.2% |
| 1964 | 18.2% | +0.2% |
| 1965 | 18.2% | +0.3% |
| 1966 | 18.3% | +0.2% |
| 1967 | 18.3% | +0.3% |
| 1968 | 18.4% | +0.4% |
| 1969 | 18.5% | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 18.6% | +0.6% |
| 1971 | 18.6% | -0.1% |
| 1972 | 18.6% | -0.1% |
| 1973 | 18.6% | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 18.6% | +0.1% |
| 1975 | 18.7% | +0.2% |
| 1976 | 18.7% | +0.1% |
| 1977 | 18.7% | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 18.7% | +0.1% |
| 1979 | 18.7% | +0.1% |
| 1980 | 18.7% | +0.1% |
| 1981 | 18.7% | -0.1% |
| 1982 | 18.7% | -0.0% |
| 1983 | 18.7% | -0.0% |
| 1984 | 18.7% | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 18.7% | +0.1% |
| 1986 | 18.8% | +0.1% |
| 1987 | 18.8% | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 18.8% | +0.1% |
| 1989 | 18.8% | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 18.9% | +0.1% |
| 1991 | 18.8% | -0.3% |
| 1992 | 18.7% | -0.4% |
| 1993 | 18.7% | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 18.6% | -0.2% |
| 1995 | 18.6% | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 18.6% | -0.2% |
| 1997 | 18.5% | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 18.5% | -0.2% |
| 1999 | 18.4% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 18.4% | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 18.3% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 18.3% | -0.3% |
| 2003 | 18.2% | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 18.2% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 18.1% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 18.1% | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 18.1% | -0.0% |
| 2008 | 18.1% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 18.1% | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 18.1% | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 18.2% | +0.3% |
| 2012 | 18.2% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 18.1% | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 18.1% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 18.1% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 18.1% | -0.0% |
| 2017 | 18.1% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 18.1% | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 18.1% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 18.1% | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 18.2% | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 18.2% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 18.2% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 18.1% | -0.2% |
| 2025 | 18.1% | +0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 18.2% | 18.0% | 18.5% | 10 |
| 1970s | 18.6% | 18.6% | 18.7% | 10 |
| 1980s | 18.8% | 18.7% | 18.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 18.6% | 18.4% | 18.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 18.2% | 18.1% | 18.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.1% | 18.1% | 18.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.2% | 18.1% | 18.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near OECD members
More urban development data for OECD members
- Population density 39.29 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 12.02 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 60.6% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in the largest city in OECD members?
- Population in the largest city in OECD members was 18.1% in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in the largest city recorded in OECD members?
- The highest recorded value was 18.9% in 1990.
- What is the lowest population in the largest city recorded in OECD members?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.0% in 1960.
- How does OECD members rank for population in the largest city?
- OECD members ranks 21st out of 43 groups with data for 2025.
- Is population in the largest city rising or falling in OECD members?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this OECD members data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in the largest city (% of urban population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.