A system of urban/rural typologies Three levels of urban/rural classification

based on population distribution

Grid cells di ag onals) with a density

of at least
Contiguous cells (with
of at least 1500 inh.
out diag
/km ² an d
on
a m
al s
in
an
im
d
um
w ith ga p filling) with a dens
of 50000 inhabitant
s
ity

lls (in clu di ng

Contiguous ce of 5000 inhabitants
/k m ² an d a m in im um
300 inh.
ban clusters
Grid cells outside ur

A classification of raster cells of 1 km²

using criteria of population density
and contiguity. Rural Urban clusters Urban centres
Where available, the population distribution
is derived from registers. Elsewhere, it is
downscaled from local (LAU2) population
grid cells > 5 000 > 50 000
figures.

LAU2 units < 50% of population

in rural grid cells an
in urban centres
d At least 50% of popu
lation living in urban centre
s

< 50% of population

pulation living
At least 50% of po
in rural grid cells
Degree of urbanisation
Towns
A classification of local Rural
administrative units (LAU2) and Cities
based on the share of local
population living in urban clusters
areas suburbs
and in urban centres.

Thinly populated Intermediate density Densely populated

NUTS 3 regions pulation living in urban clus

ters
At least 80% of po
n clusters
pu lation living in urba
At least 50% of po
pulation living in rural grid cells
Urban/rural typology At least 50% of po

A typology of NUTS-3 regions

based on the share of regional
population living in rural grid cells
and in urban clusters.
Rural regions Intermediate regions Urban regions

These typologies have been developed by DG Regional and Urban Policy in co-operation with For more information:
DG Agriculture and Rural Development, Eurostat, DG Joint Research Centre and OECD.
- A revised urban-rural typology (NUTS3 level): http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/product_details/publication?p_product_code=KS-HA-10-001-15
Data sources: Eurostat, DG JRC, national statistical institutes, EFGS
Regional http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Urban-rural_typology
- A revised degree of urbanisation classification (LAU2 level): http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/miscellaneous/index.cfm?TargetUrl=DSP_DEGURBA
and Urban
Policy REGIOgis