France vs United Kingdom: Urban Population Comparison

Compare Urban Population of France and United Kingdom over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, United Kingdom recorded Urban Population of 57.90M vs 54.18M for France (United Kingdom's Urban Population is 1.1× larger than France's.).

🇫🇷 France
54.18M
+16.2% since 2000
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
57.90M
+23.2% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
1.1×
Gap: 3.72M
Urban Population
Progressive time series visualization
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Range:
2000 2025
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France vs United Kingdom All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)

Complete annual observations of Urban Population for France and United Kingdom reported by World Bank.

Year 🇫🇷 France Urban Population 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Urban Population United Kingdom : France Ratio
2025 54.18M 57.90M 1.07×
2024 54.02M 57.67M 1.07×
2023 53.86M 56.99M 1.06×
2022 53.70M 56.19M 1.05×
2021 53.42M 55.58M 1.04×
2020 53.21M 55.33M 1.04×
2019 53.02M 55.08M 1.04×
2018 52.83M 54.65M 1.03×
2017 52.63M 54.24M 1.03×
2016 52.45M 53.81M 1.03×
2015 51.75M 53.26M 1.03×
2014 51.29M 52.75M 1.03×
2013 50.98M 52.25M 1.02×
2012 50.67M 51.79M 1.02×
2011 50.39M 51.33M 1.02×
2010 50.13M 50.84M 1.01×
2009 49.89M 50.36M 1.01×
2008 49.67M 49.91M 1.00×
2007 49.45M 49.46M 1.00×
2006 49.21M 49.01M 1.00×
2005 48.92M 48.59M 0.99×
2004 48.59M 48.20M 0.99×
2003 48.22M 47.86M 0.99×
2002 47.75M 47.56M 1.00×
2001 47.19M 47.29M 1.00×
2000 46.61M 47.01M 1.01×
1999 46.08M 46.72M 1.01×
1998 45.68M 46.43M 1.02×
1997 45.35M 46.15M 1.02×
1996 45.03M 45.89M 1.02×
1995 44.71M 45.64M 1.02×
1994 44.40M 45.39M 1.02×
1993 44.10M 45.18M 1.02×
1992 43.78M 45.00M 1.03×
1991 43.46M 44.85M 1.03×
1990 43.15M 44.72M 1.04×
1989 42.84M 44.60M 1.04×
1988 42.53M 44.52M 1.05×
1987 42.22M 44.45M 1.05×
1986 41.94M 44.40M 1.06×
1985 41.68M 44.34M 1.06×
1984 41.43M 44.28M 1.07×
1983 41.19M 44.24M 1.07×
1982 40.94M 44.25M 1.08×
1981 40.75M 44.28M 1.09×
1980 40.49M 44.25M 1.09×
1979 40.25M 44.13M 1.10×
1978 40.05M 43.99M 1.10×
1977 39.85M 43.86M 1.10×
1976 39.63M 43.74M 1.10×
1975 39.43M 43.60M 1.11×
1974 39.18M 43.47M 1.11×
1973 38.80M 43.33M 1.12×
1972 38.30M 43.17M 1.13×
1971 37.73M 42.99M 1.14×
1970 37.11M 42.82M 1.15×
1969 36.48M 42.68M 1.17×
1968 35.87M 42.57M 1.19×
1967 35.23M 42.44M 1.20×
1966 34.42M 42.30M 1.23×
1965 33.51M 42.17M 1.26×
1964 32.54M 42.01M 1.29×
1963 31.56M 41.84M 1.33×
1962 30.71M 41.63M 1.36×
1961 29.96M 41.38M 1.38×
1960 29.24M 41.16M 1.41×

Urban Population Comparison

Current Leader: In 2025, United Kingdom recorded Urban Population of 57.90M, while France recorded 54.18M, representing a scale ratio of ~1.1×.
1960 Baseline: France stood at 29.24M and United Kingdom stood at 41.16M.
2000–2025 Trajectory: France moved to 54.18M (+16.2% since 2000), while United Kingdom moved to 57.90M (+23.2% since 2000).
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2025, France's Urban Population expanded at ~0.6% CAGR, while United Kingdom's expanded at ~0.8% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, France and United Kingdom followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, France recorded 29.24M compared to 41.16M for United Kingdom. By 2025, the values evolved to 54.18M and 57.90M respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 3.72M.
Scale Ratio: United Kingdom is 1.1× size of France.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 57.90M (United Kingdom in 2025).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, France achieved +16.2% since 2000, while United Kingdom achieved +23.2% since 2000.

About Urban Population

Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for France and United Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions — Urban Population

What is the Urban Population of France?

In 2025, France's Urban Population was 54.18M according to official World Bank data.

What is the Urban Population of United Kingdom?

In 2025, United Kingdom's Urban Population was 57.90M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Urban Population?

In 2025, United Kingdom recorded a higher Urban Population of 57.90M compared to France's 54.18M (a difference of 3.72M).

How has Urban Population changed over time for France and United Kingdom?

From 2000 to 2025, France's Urban Population changed by +16.2% since 2000, while United Kingdom's changed by +23.2% since 2000.

Explore France vs United Kingdom Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare France and United Kingdom across Population, Health, Education, and Technology metrics.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SP.URB.TOTL (Urban Population). Values represent annual urban population for France and United Kingdom from 1960 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.