Living in Cities in Italy: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)
Updated October 2026 · ⬇ download this dataset (CSV) · methodology
In the 2020s, living in cities in Italy stands at 71 % — ranking #76 of 157 countries. In 1900 it was 34.1 %. (Source: UN / World Bank, compiled by MYRIAD)
The shift from rural to urban living in Italy represents a profound change in daily existence, as millions relocated from the soil to the pavement. This transformation is reflected in the percentage of the population living in cities, which stands at 71 % in the 2020s. Behind every percentage point lies a fundamental shift in how people work, gather, and build communities.
The historical trajectory of urbanization in Italy reveals a steady upward climb, from 34.1 % in 1900 to 71 % in the 2020s, ranking #76 of 157 countries. The movement continued through the decades, with estimates ranging from 11.78 in the 1800s to 69.83 in the 2010s. As the years passed, the percentage of people living in cities continued to rise, shaping the lives of generations to come.
As you consider the urban landscape of Italy, it is clear that the country's trajectory is part of a larger global trend. With a ranking of #76 of 157 countries, Italy's urbanization rate is just one piece of a complex puzzle. To explore more about how your life fits into the broader statistics, compute your own parallel lives on MYRIAD.
🇮🇹 Share of the population living in urban areas. For Italy, the story across three centuries is below — every value is a statistical fact about the lives actually lived there.
Decade by decade
| Decade | Living in Cities (%) |
|---|---|
| 1800s estimate | 11.78 |
| 1810s estimate | 14.01 |
| 1820s estimate | 16.24 |
| 1830s estimate | 18.47 |
| 1840s estimate | 20.71 |
| 1850s estimate | 22.94 |
| 1860s estimate | 25.17 |
| 1870s estimate | 27.41 |
| 1880s estimate | 29.64 |
| 1890s estimate | 31.87 |
| 1900s estimate | 34.1 |
| 1910s estimate | 37.34 |
| 1920s estimate | 40.59 |
| 1930s estimate | 43.83 |
| 1940s estimate | 47.07 |
| 1950s | 50.31 |
| 1960s | 55.31 |
| 1970s | 60.31 |
| 1980s | 65.32 |
| 1990s | 66.99 |
| 2000s | 68.66 |
| 2010s | 69.83 |
| 2020s | 71 |
| 2030s projection | 73 |
| 2040s projection | 75 |
| 2050s projection | 77 |
| 2060s projection | 79 |
| 2070s projection | 81 |
| 2080s projection | 83 |
| 2090s projection | 85 |
| 2100s projection | 87 |
Keep exploring
- Life Expectancy at Birth in Italy
- Income per Person (GDP per capita, PPP) in Italy
- Child Mortality (under 5) in Italy
- Years of Schooling in Italy
- Children per Woman in Italy
- Full country profile: Italy
- Where do YOU rank among everyone ever born? →
Questions people ask
What is the Living in Cities in Italy today?
71 % in the 2020s (UN / World Bank).
How much did Living in Cities in Italy change since 1950?
From 50.31 to 71 % — a change of about 41%.
Where does Italy rank worldwide?
#76 of 157 countries covered by MYRIAD in the 2020s.