In this article, we will look at the 5 most urbanised countries in Asia. We have also talked about the latest urban development projects being carried out in Asia in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 20 Most Urbanised Countries in Asia.
5. Qatar
Urban Population (% of Population): 99%
Over recent decades, the country has experienced an important and huge shift from a predominantly nomadic society to one dominated by urban centers. Doha, the capital, confirms this transformation with its excellent skyline, modern infrastructure, and growing population.
Urbanization in Qatar is driven by factors such as industrialization, foreign investment, and government initiatives aimed at diversifying the economy beyond oil.
4. Hong Kong
Urban Population (% of Population): 100%
Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated urban areas globally, with its population reaching 7.413 million by the 2021 census, a slight increase from 7.337 million in 2016. The island’s density is astounding, with 23,000 people per square kilometer or 58,000 per square mile, making it the second densest urban area globally with over a million residents. Despite its crowded nature, Hong Kong achieved high-income status by 1990, even surpassing Great Britain’s GDP per capita.
Kowloon, located across Hong Kong harbor, remains densely populated with 47,600 people per square kilometer, though its population has slightly decreased since 2016. Meanwhile, the New Territories have seen major residential development over the last five decades, surpassing Kowloon in population by 1991. In 2021, the New Territories accounted for virtually all of Hong Kong’s population growth, with a population density of 4,100 per square kilometer. Hong Kong is also one of the most developed cities in Asia.
3. Macao SAR, China
Urban Population (% of Population): 100%
Urbanization in Macao, SAR, has been rapid and unique due to its limited land area of 32.8 square kilometers and dense population of around 700,000 residents. Since the end of Portuguese rule and its handover to China in 1999, Macao’s economy has been dominated by the gaming and tourism sectors, experiencing prodigious economic growth. However, this growth has also brought challenges such as environmental degradation, traffic congestion, and social issues like gambling addiction.
2.Kuwait
Urban Population (% of Population): 100%
Kuwait is a small but wealthy country in the Middle East that has experienced phenomenal urbanization over the past few decades. The capital city, Kuwait City, serves as the focal point of this urban development. As the economic hub of the country, Kuwait City attracts a huge portion of the population, leading to extensive urban growth and infrastructure expansion.
Major companies in the country like Alshaya Group and Mabanee Company continue to work on several urbanization projects. One such famous project is The Avenues Mall, made by Mabanee which is an ultimate shopping destination with over 1400+ stores.
1.Singapore
Urban Population (% of Population): 100%
Singapore’s level of urbanization is notably high, with a population of 5.61 million inhabiting a mere 719 km², resulting in a density of 7,800 persons/km². Despite challenges such as overcrowding and environmental concerns, Singapore has managed its urbanization remarkably well. It derives its success from a combination of integrated planning and dynamic governance. Moreover, initiatives like the Singapore Technical Deep Dive confirm that the country is putting in efforts to share its urbanization related insights globally.
The Singapore Technical Deep Dive was a collaborative initiative between the World Bank, the Centre for Liveable Cities, and Infrastructure Asia of the Government of Singapore. It aimed to share Singapore’s urban development experience with participants from different countries facing similar challenges.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at 13 Countries Offering Citizenship by Investment in 2024 and 20 European Cities with Highest Weed Consumption.
