Demographic indicators by urban-rural typology

This dataset provides indicators on demogrpahy by regional urban-rural typology.

Data source and definition

The data by typology includes share of population, dependency rates, fertility and mortality rates, population mobility within and outside countries. Data is collected from Eurostat (reg_dem) for EU countries and via delegates of the OECD Working Party on Territorial Indicators (WPTI), as well as from national statistical offices' websites.

The indicators are aggregated data within a country based on the typology of small (TL3) regions to calculate a total or average for all predominantly rural regions, intermediate regions or predominantly urban regions.

Territorial typology based on urban-rural population

Territorial typologies helps to assess differences in socio-economic trends in regions, both within and across countries and to highlight the specific issues faced by each type of region. Traditionally the OECD has classified small (TL3) regions as predominantly urban, intermediate, or predominantly rural regions. Predominantly rural regions can be further broken down as 'Close to city' and 'Remote', see the methodology (pdf). This typology remains of interest for users, although the Access to City typology is now the one used by OECD analysts.

List of OECD regions and typologies are presented in the OECD Territorial correspondence table (xlsx). Maps of For more information, see the OECD Territorial grid (pdf).

Cite this dataset

OECD Regions, Cities and Local Areas database http://oe.cd/geostats

Further information

• OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas 


• OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance

For questions and/or comments, please email [email protected].