Asia’s Top 5 Most Urbanized Countries: See Complete List

Eric Nkom May 13, 2024

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Asia’s Top 5 Most Urbanized Countries: See Complete List

Urbanization is what makes the contemporary era unique. The majority of people on the planet reside in cities. According to the World Bank, this percentage will rise even further by 2050, when about 70% of people are predicted to live in cities.

On the one hand, cities are hubs of invention and economic activity, producing over 80% of the world’s GDP. However, the rate and scope of urbanization are putting pressure on the services and infrastructure that are already in place, leading to issues including environmental deterioration, a shortage of affordable housing, and insufficient transportation.

Notably, with over half of the world’s urban population residing in the region, urbanization in Asian nations in particular is growing at an unparalleled rate.

Indonesia has a 58 percent urbanization rate, according to World Bank data. This number is far lower than that of several ASEAN nations, including Singapore, which is ranked among the top 20, as well as Malaysia and Brunei. Which Asian nations are the most urbanized, according to these rankings?

1. Singapore

Urban Population: 100%

With 5.61 million people living in an area of 719 square kilometers and a density of 7,800 people per square kilometer, Singapore has an exceptionally high level of urbanization. Thanks to integrated planning and innovative government control, Singapore has handled its urbanization exceptionally well, despite environmental issues and overpopulation.

2. Kuwait

Urban Population: 100%

Over the past few decades, Kuwait, a small but wealthy country in the Middle East, has seen spectacular urbanization. Kuwait City, the nation’s capital, acts as the hub of this urban development. Kuwait City’s status as the nation’s economic hub draws a lot of people, which fuels the city’s development and substantial infrastructural expansion.

3. Macao, China

Urban Population: 100%

With a dense population of almost 700,000 people and a small territory of 32.8 square kilometers, Macao, the Special Administrative Region, has seen rapid and unusual urbanization. Macao’s economy has been driven mostly by the gaming and tourist industries since the end of Portuguese sovereignty and its handover to China in 1999.

These industries have seen unprecedented growth in recent years. But this expansion also brings with it problems like deteriorating environmental conditions, gridlock in the streets, and social problems like gambling addiction.

4. Hong Kong

Urban Population: 100%

At 7.413 million as of the 2021 census—a little rise from 7.337 million in 2016—Hong Kong is among the world’s most densely populated urban areas. With over a million inhabitants, Hong Kong is the second most populated urban area in the world. Hong Kong attained high-income status in 1990, even outpacing the GDP per capita of the United Kingdom, despite its dense population.

Across Hong Kong Harbor, Kowloon is still home to 47,600 people per square kilometer, despite a modest decrease in population since 2016. In the meantime, throughout the last 50 years, the New Territories have seen significant residential growth; in 1991, its population surpassed that of Kowloon. Among the most advanced cities in Asia is Hong Kong.

5. Qatar

Urban Population: 99%

The nation has seen a significant transition in the last few decades from a predominantly nomadic to an increasingly urbanized lifestyle. The capital, Doha, demonstrates this change with its stunning skyline, cutting-edge facilities, and expanding populace.

Industrialization, foreign investment, and government measures to diversify the economy beyond oil are some of the drivers driving urbanization in Qatar.