# Travel >> Destinations >> Central America

Urbanization in Central America & the Caribbean: 2022 Data Shows Wide Variation (56%–92%)

Urbanization levels across Central America and the Caribbean vary dramatically, reflecting differences in history, economics, geography, and political status. **World Bank 2022 data** (latest comprehensive comparable set) shows:

Country / Territory	Urban Population (% of Total)	Notes
Puerto Rico (US Territory)	91.7%	Highly urbanized, San Juan metro dominant.
The Bahamas	84.1%	New Providence (Nassau) = 70% of pop.
Cuba	77.7%	Havana 2.1M; socialist urban planning.
Dominican Republic	77.1%	Santo Domingo metro 4M+; rapid growth.
Panama	75.1%	Panama City metro 1.9M (half the country). Canal economy.
Costa Rica	63.1%	Central Valley (San José) concentration.
Guatemala	57.9%	Guatemala City metro 3M; high rural indigenous pop.
Belize	57.7%	Belize City + Belmopan; low density overall.
Honduras	56.4%	Tegucigalpa + San Pedro Sula dual cores.
Nicaragua	56.2%	Managua 1.5M; post-war urbanization.
Jamaica	56.9%	Kingston metro 1.2M; tourism coasts.
Haiti	58.9%	Port-au-Prince 3M+; rapid, unplanned growth.

Key Patterns

Island microstates/territories (PR, Bahamas, Cuba, DR) → **Highest (77–92%)**. Limited land, port-centric history, tourism/services.
Mainland isthmus (Panama, Costa Rica) → **High (63–75%)**. Canal/Service economies, single primate city.
Northern Triangle + Nicaragua (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua) → **Lowest (56–58%)**. **But rising fast** (1–2%/yr). Rural poverty, violence drive migration to capitals & US.
Haiti → **58.9%** — surprisingly high for LDC; reflects extreme rural push / urban pull (despite poor services).

Caveats

Definitions of "urban" vary by national census (admin vs. density vs. function).
Post-COVID, post-hurricane (Eta/Iota 2020), and migration surges may shift 2023–24 figures.
**El Salvador** (not listed) ~73% (high for mainland). **Trinidad & Tobago** ~53% (energy economy, suburban).

For current projections, consult **UN World Urbanization Prospects (2024 revision)** or national statistical institutes (INEGI, DANE, ONE, INE, etc.).

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