Myanmar Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Myanmar's urban population was 30.53% in 2025, ranked 197th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Myanmar's urban population stood at 30.53% in 2025, a rise of +0.08% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 30.53% by 2025. Myanmar ranked 197th globally.
Myanmar’s urban population share has risen steadily from 18.99 percent in 1960 to a record 30.53 percent in 2025, placing the country 197th worldwide. The 66‑year trajectory reflects gradual urbanisation despite periods of political instability and limited infrastructure investment, and the 2025 figure matches the all‑time peak. Compared with peers of similar rank, Myanmar’s share is just below St. Lucia’s 30.60 percent and marginally lower than the Solomon Islands’ 31.32 percent, while exceeding Burkina Faso’s 28.79 percent. The upward swing is driven by rural‑to‑urban migration, modest industrial growth in Yangon and Mandalay, and incremental improvements in public services that attract labour. Yet the pace remains modest relative to faster‑urbanising neighbours such as Timor‑Leste, whose urban share has climbed more sharply in recent decades. Continued investment in urban infrastructure, affordable housing and diversified employment opportunities will be pivotal in sustaining or accelerating Myanmar’s urbanisation trend in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 30.67% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 30.60% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 30.53% | - | - |
| 2025 | 30.53% | +0.08% | #197 |
| 2024 | 30.45% | +0.07% | #22 |
| 2023 | 30.38% | +0.07% | #23 |
| 2022 | 30.31% | +0.07% | #24 |
| 2021 | 30.24% | +0.08% | #25 |
| 2020 | 30.16% | +0.08% | #25 |
| 2019 | 30.08% | +0.08% | #25 |
| 2018 | 29.99% | +0.09% | #26 |
| 2017 | 29.91% | +0.09% | #26 |
| 2016 | 29.81% | +0.10% | #26 |
| 2015 | 29.72% | +0.10% | #27 |
| 2014 | 29.62% | +0.11% | #28 |
| 2013 | 29.51% | +0.11% | #27 |
| 2012 | 29.40% | +0.12% | #27 |
| 2011 | 29.27% | +0.13% | #30 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Myanmar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2009. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Myanmar's urban population was 30.53% in 2025. Ranked 197th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Myanmar's urban population peaked at 30.53% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Myanmar was 18.99% in 1960.
Myanmar ranks 197th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Myanmar's urban population is projected to reach 30.53% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Myanmar in 2025 was 30.53%. This ranks 197th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_myanmar_urban-population,
title = {Myanmar Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/myanmar/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}