Guinea-Bissau Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Guinea-Bissau's urban population was 46.52% in 2025, ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Guinea-Bissau's urban population stood at 46.52% in 2025, a rise of +0.41% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 46.52% by 2025. Guinea-Bissau ranked 157th globally.
Guinea‑Bissau’s urban population share has risen from 13.48 % in 1960 to 46.52 % in 2025, marking a steady increase over the 66‑year series and reaching its all‑time peak in the most recent year. This trajectory places the country at rank 157 globally, just below Turkmenistan’s 47.09 % and slightly above Sierra Leone’s 45.89 %, reflecting a pattern of urbanisation comparable to other low‑income states in West Africa and Central Asia. The growth rate accelerated after the early 2000s, coinciding with modest economic reforms and rural‑to‑urban migration driven by limited agricultural productivity and expanding informal sector opportunities in Bissau. While the urban share remains below the regional average of roughly 50 %, the continued rise suggests that infrastructural constraints and service provision will become increasingly critical. If investments in housing, transport and utilities keep pace with demographic shifts, the upward trend is likely to persist; otherwise, inadequate urban planning could temper future increases.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 47.42% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 46.97% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 46.52% | - | - |
| 2025 | 46.52% | +0.41% | #157 |
| 2024 | 46.11% | +0.52% | #60 |
| 2023 | 45.59% | +0.43% | #60 |
| 2022 | 45.16% | +0.43% | #60 |
| 2021 | 44.73% | +0.43% | #60 |
| 2020 | 44.30% | +0.43% | #60 |
| 2019 | 43.87% | +0.43% | #59 |
| 2018 | 43.44% | +0.43% | #60 |
| 2017 | 43.02% | +0.43% | #59 |
| 2016 | 42.59% | +0.43% | #59 |
| 2015 | 42.16% | +0.43% | #58 |
| 2014 | 41.73% | +0.43% | #58 |
| 2013 | 41.30% | +0.43% | #59 |
| 2012 | 40.87% | +0.43% | #59 |
| 2011 | 40.44% | +0.43% | #59 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guinea-Bissau matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Guinea-Bissau's urban population was 46.52% in 2025. Ranked 157th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from the previous year.
Guinea-Bissau's urban population peaked at 46.52% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Guinea-Bissau was 13.48% in 1960.
Guinea-Bissau ranks 157th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Guinea-Bissau's urban population is projected to reach 46.52% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Guinea-Bissau in 2025 was 46.52%. This ranks 157th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guinea-bissau_urban-population,
title = {Guinea-Bissau Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guinea-bissau/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}