Population Reports' Q&As

Meeting the Urban Challenge

An Urban Future

What is the difference between the terms "urban" and "city"?

The terms "urban" and "city" are often used interchangeably, and there is no international agreement on their definition. Almost all national governments agree that settlements of 20,000 or more people are urban, but some consider smaller settlements to be urban as well, with various cut-off points. Few, however, would consider a small urban center of 1,000 to 2,000 inhabitants to be a city (44). Thus, while the term "urban" can refer to settlements of all population sizes, most people reserve the term "city" for urban centers with large populations.

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