Lebanon Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Lebanon's urban population was 90.94% in 2025, ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Lebanon's urban population stood at 90.94% in 2025, a rise of +0.24% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 90.94% by 2025. Lebanon ranked 31st globally.
Lebanon’s urban population share has risen sharply from 41.67 percent in 1960 to 90.94 percent in 2025, marking the highest level recorded over the 66‑year series and placing the country 31st globally. The acceleration accelerated after the 1970s, reflecting rapid internal migration driven by civil conflict, economic centralisation in Beirut and limited rural development. By 2025 Lebanon’s urbanisation rate slightly exceeds that of Türkiye (89.30 percent) and approaches Israel (91.50 percent), while remaining marginally below Curaçao’s 91.44 percent. The near‑parity with these peers underscores a structural shift toward a highly concentrated urban economy, with implications for housing, infrastructure and service delivery. Continued demographic pressure, combined with fiscal constraints and regional instability, could moderate future growth, but without substantial rural investment or decentralisation policies the urban share is likely to stay near the current peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 91.43% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 91.19% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 90.94% | - | - |
| 2025 | 90.94% | +0.24% | #31 |
| 2024 | 90.70% | +0.25% | #186 |
| 2023 | 90.45% | +0.25% | #186 |
| 2022 | 90.21% | +0.24% | #186 |
| 2021 | 89.97% | +0.24% | #186 |
| 2020 | 89.73% | +0.23% | #186 |
| 2019 | 89.50% | +0.23% | #186 |
| 2018 | 89.27% | +0.22% | #186 |
| 2017 | 89.05% | +0.22% | #187 |
| 2016 | 88.84% | +0.21% | #187 |
| 2015 | 88.62% | +0.21% | #187 |
| 2014 | 88.42% | +0.20% | #187 |
| 2013 | 88.22% | +0.20% | #187 |
| 2012 | 88.02% | +0.19% | #186 |
| 2011 | 87.83% | +0.19% | #186 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lebanon matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lebanon's urban population was 90.94% in 2025. Ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Lebanon's urban population peaked at 90.94% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Lebanon was 41.67% in 1960.
Lebanon ranks 31st globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lebanon's urban population is projected to reach 90.94% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Lebanon in 2025 was 90.94%. This ranks 31st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lebanon_urban-population,
title = {Lebanon Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lebanon/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}