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Urban Population: Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland (1965 vs 2024)

Urban Population: Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland (1965 vs 2024)

Global PopulationJanuary 20, 2026

If you look at the infographic showing urban population changes from 1965 to 2024, you’ll notice something remarkable. The Netherlands has seen one of the biggest urban shifts in modern European history, with its city population growing from 61.16% in 1965 to 95.64% in 2024.

These numbers show that millions of people have made big decisions about where to live, work, and raise families. Norway and Sweden have had similar changes, with Norway’s urban population rising from 55.85% to 83.33% and Sweden’s from 77.11% to 88.86% over the same years. Together, these three countries have redefined what it means to be an urban nation and offer important lessons about the future of where people live.

These numbers show more than just people moving to cities. They point to economic opportunity, new technology, and the search for better lives. The Netherlands stands out because it started urbanizing later than Sweden but is now one of the most urbanized countries in the world. According to World Bank data, 93.45% of Dutch people lived in cities in 2024, compared to a global average of just 61.70%. Today, if you meet someone from the Netherlands, there’s a 95% chance they live in a city. Rural life has become rare.

Sweden began urbanizing earlier than its neighbors, which is why 77.11% of its people already lived in cities by 1965. Today, about 88.98% of Swedes—over 9.4 million people—live in urban areas. Sweden’s main period of urban growth was in the 1950s and 1960s, during the post-war rebuilding and modernization. Cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö attracted people looking for better jobs, education, and modern comforts. The Swedish government supported this growth with urban planning that focused on building efficient, livable cities for a growing population.

Norway’s path to urbanization shows a major shift from a country focused on agriculture, fishing, and maritime work to a modern urban economy. In 1965, only 55.85% of Norwegians lived in cities, but by 2024, that number reached 84.32%, with about 4.7 million people in urban areas. The discovery of North Sea oil sped up this change, bringing new wealth and job opportunities to cities. Norwegian cities grew from small towns into modern centers with excellent healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Norway also managed to grow quickly while keeping its cities environmentally friendly and highly livable, something many other countries find difficult.

The Netherlands: A Nation Nearly Entirely Urban

The transformation of the Netherlands into the world’s most urbanized country constitutes a significant demographic shift. Several key characteristics underscore the distinctly urban nature of the country, particularly evident in its major cities. Amsterdam, the capital, has grown to 934,526 residents within its municipality, with a population density of 4,908 people per square kilometer. Rotterdam, the second-largest city, hosts Europe’s largest port and serves 1,030,820 people in its urban agglomeration. Utrecht, the fourth-largest city, has a metropolitan population of 579,784 and continues to expand at a steady annual rate of 0.74%.

Seven Key Facts About the Netherlands Urbanization:

The urban population reached 95.64% in 2024, the highest among the four countries in the infographic.
Amsterdam has 934,526 residents in the municipality, with a population density of 4,908 people per square kilometer.
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and home to 1,030,820 people in its urban agglomeration.
Utrecht, the fourth-largest city, has a population of 579,784 in its urban area and is growing at 0.74% annually.
The Netherlands boasts 30,997 km of dedicated cycleways, with 28% of all trips made by bicycle.
Amsterdam’s cycling infrastructure achieves 35% cycling mode share for intra-city trips.
The Randstad mega-region connects Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht into one functional area with over 7 million people.

A notable aspect of Dutch urbanization is the extensive bicycle infrastructure. The Netherlands has constructed 30,997 kilometers of dedicated cycleways along major roads, far surpassing minimal provisions such as painted lines. This comprehensive network enables 28% of all trips nationwide to be made by bicycle, while in Amsterdam, cycling accounts for 35% of intra-city journeys. In a country where 95% of the population resides in urban areas, cycling has become the primary mode of transportation rather than car travel.

This changes how cities are planned, how people move, and what daily life feels like. The system allows for very dense urban living without the usual problems of car traffic and pollution. The Randstad mega-region, which links Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, is now one of Europe’s most successful urban areas, with over 7 million people living close together while still enjoying a good quality of life.

Norway: Oil Wealth Transforms Urban Landscape

Norway’s urbanization trajectory is characterized by rapid economic transformation. The nation transitioned from a rural, resource-dependent economy to an urban, knowledge-driven society within a few decades. In 1965, only 55.85% of Norwegians resided in cities; today, that figure has risen to 83.33%, with over 80% of the population living in urban areas. This shift is primarily attributed to the wealth generated from North Sea oil, which created new economic opportunities in urban centers. Oslo, for example, is among Europe’s fastest-growing cities, with its population projected to increase by 30% by 2030.

Over 80% of Norway’s population now lives in cities, driven by oil wealth and economic opportunities.
Bergen, the second-largest city, has 297,219 residents with 602.6 people per km² in the city center.
Oslo was selected as the European Green Capital 2019 and is the world’s electric-car capital.
The Bergen metro area is expected to grow by 100,000 residents over the next 15 years, driven by major development projects.
Norway implemented a “zero-growth goal” for car traffic in major urban areas, prioritizing sustainable development.

Norway stands out because it used its oil wealth to build environmentally friendly cities instead of repeating the car-focused growth seen in the past. Oslo, one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, expects its population to rise by 30% by 2030. It has become known as the world’s electric car capital and was named European Green Capital in 2019. Bergen, the second-largest city with 297,219 residents, is also expanding, with 100,000 new residents expected in the next 15 years.

This growth is being managed through sustainable development projects. Most notably, Norway set a “zero-growth goal” for car traffic in its major cities, meaning it will not allow car traffic to increase even as the population grows. This is a bold commitment to sustainability that few other countries have tried.

Sweden: A Three-City Urban Model

Sweden’s urbanization differs from that in the Netherlands and Norway. Instead of building one large mega-region, Sweden developed three main metropolitan areas that together shape the country’s economy and city life. Stockholm, the capital and largest city, has a population of 2.2 million in its metro area and accounts for about one-third of Sweden’s GDP. Gothenburg and Malmö are smaller but still important urban centers.

Seven Key Facts About Sweden’s Urbanization:

The urban population reached 88.86% by 2024, up from 77.11% in 1965, the earliest of the three countries.
The Stockholm metropolitan area has 2.2+ million people, making it the most populous Nordic region.
The Stockholm archipelago contains 24,000-30,000 islands extending 60 kilometers east from the city center.
The Gothenburg metropolitan area has 1,021,831 residents, making it the second-largest in Sweden.
Malmö, the third-largest city, has a population of 669,471 and is known for its innovative architecture.
Stockholm accounts for approximately one-third of Sweden’s total GDP, serving as the economic powerhouse.
Sweden’s primary phase of urbanization occurred in the 1950s-1960s during post-war reconstruction, earlier than in most European countries.

Stockholm is a unique city. Founded in 1252 on fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, about 30% of the city is water and another 30% is parks. Just outside the city is the Stockholm archipelago, a group of 24,000 to 30,000 islands stretching about 60 kilometers east. This natural setting is not just beautiful—it is a key part of residents’ lives and contributes to their quality of life. Because Sweden’s main urban growth happened in the 1950s and 1960s, earlier than in Norway or the Netherlands, Swedish planners had time to learn from other countries and focus on sustainable city development from the start.

The driving forces behind this urban migration across all three countries share common threads but also reveal unique national characteristics. Economic opportunity has always been the primary magnet drawing people to cities. Higher urban agglomeration correlates positively with GDP per capita and labor productivity. In practical terms, this means that doubling a city’s population typically increases productivity by about 6%, creating a virtuous cycle in which cities become more attractive as they grow.

The Netherlands benefited enormously from its strategic location at the heart of European trade networks, with flat, accessible land near major rivers, such as the Rhine, and world-class ports, such as Rotterdam. This geographical advantage, combined with centuries of commercial expertise dating back to the Dutch Golden Age, created powerful economic incentives for urban concentration.

Building strong infrastructure has been key to making urban life both possible and attractive. The Netherlands has invested a lot in the Randstad, a large urban area that links Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. This goes beyond roads and railways—the Dutch have built integrated systems that include digital networks, advanced water management (important since much of the country is below sea level), and green spaces that make city living healthier. The Port of Rotterdam, for example, has continued to upgrade through digital technology and automation, helping the city remain globally competitive. By building this kind of infrastructure, the Netherlands has not only supported but also encouraged urban growth.

Sweden’s approach to urban infrastructure reveals a distinctive Nordic model that prioritizes sustainability alongside economic growth. Swedish cities have embraced what planners call “compact city development,” which aims to reduce transportation needs, energy consumption, and infrastructure costs through efficient land use.

This philosophy became particularly influential during Sweden’s primary phase of urbanization in the mid-20th century, when the government implemented ambitious housing programs to address post-war shortages. The results speak for themselves—Swedish cities consistently rank among the world’s most livable, with excellent public transportation, accessible green spaces, and high-quality public services. Stockholm’s public transport system, for instance, seamlessly integrates buses, metro, and commuter trains, making car ownership optional rather than essential for most residents.

Norway has taken a different approach to urban development by setting a “zero-growth goal” for car traffic in its major cities. This means the country focuses on environmental sustainability rather than traditional growth. This policy has helped lower greenhouse gas emissions while still allowing cities to grow, thanks to investments in public transport, cycling paths, and walkable city design. Cities like Oslo and Bergen have become examples of sustainable urban mobility, showing that cities can grow without increasing their environmental impact. Norway has used its oil wealth to build some of Europe’s most environmentally friendly cities, choosing long-term sustainability over short-term gains.

Quality of life is a major reason why so many people have moved to cities in these three countries. They have built urban areas where everyone can access good education, not just the wealthy. Healthcare in these cities is comprehensive, with short wait times and excellent facilities. Public safety is high, green spaces are common and well-kept, and there are many cultural activities. With these benefits, city life is more attractive than rural life for most people, unless someone prefers isolation or farming.

We need to talk about the social and economic implications of having 85-95% of your population living in cities. This level of urbanization fundamentally changes how a nation functions, allocates resources, and forms and evolves communities. In highly urbanized countries like the Netherlands, policy decisions that affect cities affect nearly everyone.

This creates both opportunities and challenges—opportunities because concentrated populations make it easier to provide efficient public services, but challenges because urban housing affordability, traffic congestion, and maintaining livability become national priorities rather than local concerns. The data shows that European cities are indeed grappling with these challenges, with 39% of European mayors now reporting that housing costs are unaffordable in their towns.

Housing affordability has emerged as the single greatest challenge facing highly urbanized societies. The very success of cities in attracting residents has created intense competition for limited urban space, driving housing costs to levels that strain even middle-class budgets. The Netherlands faces particular pressure due to its extremely high urbanization rate. When 95% of your population wants to live in cities, and developable land is limited (especially in a small, densely populated country), housing prices inevitably rise. Dutch cities have responded with creative solutions, including high-density housing, vertical development, and integrated area development approaches that combine housing with infrastructure improvements.

From an environmental perspective, the concentration of populations in urban areas presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, looking at the environment, having many people in cities brings both problems and benefits. Cities use more than two-thirds of the world’s energy and produce over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden have millions living in small urban areas, which puts pressure on the environment. However, living close together in cities is actually more efficient than spreading out in rural areas. Compact cities mean fewer cars are needed, public transport works better, and heating and cooling are more efficient. The Nordic countries have taken advantage of this by building green infrastructure, encouraging cycling and walking, and moving toward renewable energy. The benefits of urban density are substantial.

For the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, this urban productivity advantage has translated into some of the world’s highest GDP per capita figures. Cities create what economists call “agglomeration benefits”—the advantages that come from having lots of people, businesses, and institutions concentrated in one place. These benefits include better job matching (it’s easier to find the right job and the right employee when there are more options), knowledge spillovers (ideas spread faster when people interact face-to-face), and specialized services that only become economically viable at an urban scale.

Technology and innovation both shape and are shaped by urbanization in these countries. The Netherlands is a leader in digital infrastructure, with strong fiber-optic networks and 5G coverage, especially in cities. This creates a cycle: tech companies move to cities for the infrastructure and skilled workers, which then attracts even more talent and investment. Norway’s cities use new technologies and data to improve services, reduce energy use, and improve residents’ lives. Sweden focuses on planning that combines new technology with social fairness, ensuring that digital progress benefits everyone.

The future trajectory of urbanization in these countries raises intriguing questions. Can the Netherlands realistically become even more urbanized than its current 95.64%? Where does urbanization plateau? Sweden and Norway, with slightly lower urbanization rates, likely have room for growth. The future of urbanization in these countries brings up interesting questions. Can the Netherlands become even more urbanized than its current 95.64%? At what point does urbanization stop growing? Sweden and Norway, with slightly lower rates, may still see some growth, but it will likely be slower than in the past. Worldwide, urban populations are expected to reach 68% by 2050.

However, in countries like these, growth may level off, and the focus will shift to making cities better, more sustainable, and more affordable for those who already live there. The quality of life matters enormously; cities that offer excellent education, healthcare, safety, and cultural amenities will always attract and retain residents.

Third, environmental sustainability must be integrated from the beginning rather than treated as an afterthought. Norway’s zero-growth goal for urban car traffic and the Netherlands’ extensive cycling infrastructure show that you can accommodate urban growth while reducing environmental impact. Fourth, that housing policy is critical—failure to ensure adequate, affordable housing can undermine all the other benefits of urbanization.

The data we see is more than just numbers; it shows big changes in how people choose where to live. When the Netherlands went from 61% to 96% urban, millions of families moved from rural areas and small towns to cities for new opportunities. Each move had its own reason, like a student going to university in Amsterdam, a family looking for better healthcare in Utrecht, or a worker drawn by higher pay in Rotterdam. When you add up all these stories, along with government policies and business investments, you see the major transformation shown in the infographic.

Ten Fascinating Facts About Urban Population in the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden:

The Netherlands experienced the most significant increase in urbanization among the four countries in the infographic, rising by 34.48 percentage points from 1965 to 2024.
Norway’s urban population has grown continuously for 64 consecutive years, reaching 4,698,428 people by 2024.
Sweden was already 77% urbanized in 1965, making it the most urban of the three countries at that starting point.
The global average urban population is only 61.70%, meaning the Netherlands, at 95.64%, is significantly more urbanized than the world average.
The Dutch Randstad mega-region, which spans a relatively small area, houses over 7 million people and represents one of Europe’s most significant metropolitan areas.
Dutch cyclists prevent an over 14% increase in commuting times and 30% increase in commuting distances through their dedicated cycling infrastructure.
Norwegian cities consistently rank high on livability indices, with perfect healthcare scores and excellent environmental quality across major urban centers.
Sweden’s primary phase of urbanization occurred during the 1950s-1960s, earlier than in many European countries, driven by post-war modernization efforts.
Urban population density in the Netherlands’ Central Plateau exceeds 500 people per square kilometer, making it one of Europe’s most densely populated regions.
All three countries rank among the world’s top nations for quality of life, with their cities offering universal access to excellent education, healthcare, and public services.

The transformation of the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden from moderately or partially urbanized societies into some of the world’s most urban nations represents one of the significant demographic and social changes of the modern era. Understanding this transformation helps us grasp not just where these countries have been, but where the rest of the world might be heading as urbanization continues its global march.