Northern Mariana Islands Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Northern Mariana Islands's urban population was 92.17% in 2025, ranked 28th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Northern Mariana Islands's urban population stood at 92.17% in 2025, a rise of +0.09% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 92.17% by 2025. Northern Mariana Islands ranked 28th globally.
Northern Mariana Islands’ urban population share has risen steadily over the 66‑year series, climbing from 80.15 percent in 1960 to a record 92.17 percent in 2025, the highest level recorded and the 28th‑largest share worldwide. The lowest point occurred in 1970 at 80.07 percent, after which a gradual urbanisation process pushed the proportion above 90 percent in the early 2000s and kept it climbing. This trajectory mirrors the high urban shares of peer economies such as Japan, which records 92.29 percent, and Gabon at 92.34 percent, suggesting that the islands’ demographic shift aligns with broader patterns in advanced and resource‑rich nations. The sustained increase reflects continued migration to the main island of Saipan, limited rural employment opportunities, and infrastructure concentration in urban centres. If economic diversification and rural development initiatives expand, the upward momentum could moderate, but absent such interventions the urban share is likely to remain near the current peak in the near term.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 92.36% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 92.26% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 92.17% | - | - |
| 2025 | 92.17% | +0.09% | #28 |
| 2024 | 92.07% | +0.10% | #190 |
| 2023 | 91.98% | +0.10% | #190 |
| 2022 | 91.88% | +0.09% | #190 |
| 2021 | 91.78% | +0.09% | #190 |
| 2020 | 91.69% | +0.07% | #190 |
| 2019 | 91.62% | +0.07% | #191 |
| 2018 | 91.54% | +0.07% | #190 |
| 2017 | 91.47% | +0.07% | #191 |
| 2016 | 91.40% | +0.07% | #191 |
| 2015 | 91.33% | +0.07% | #192 |
| 2014 | 91.25% | +0.07% | #191 |
| 2013 | 91.18% | +0.08% | #192 |
| 2012 | 91.10% | +0.08% | #193 |
| 2011 | 91.03% | +0.08% | #193 |
Analysis
Northern Mariana Islands's urban population was 92.17% in 2025, a rise of +0.09% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 92.17% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Northern Mariana Islands's urban population was 92.17% in 2025. Ranked 28th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Northern Mariana Islands's urban population peaked at 92.17% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Northern Mariana Islands was 80.07% in 1970.
Northern Mariana Islands ranks 28th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Northern Mariana Islands's urban population is projected to reach 92.17% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Northern Mariana Islands in 2025 was 92.17%. This ranks 28th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_northern-mariana-islands_urban-population,
title = {Northern Mariana Islands Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/northern-mariana-islands/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}