Population Density - Regions

This dataset provides regional data on population density and land areas, for large regions (TL2) and small regions (TL3).

Data definition and source

Population density per land area excludes inland water bodies. This indicator measures the number of people residing in small TL3 and large TL2 regions per square kilometers. 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.

Definition of regions

Regions are subnational units below national boundaries. OECD countries have two regional levels: large regions (territorial level 2 or TL2) and small regions (territorial level 3 or TL3). The OECD regions are presented in the OECD Territorial grid (pdf) and in the OECD Territorial correspondence table (xlsx).

Use of data on small regions

When demographic data are analysed along with economic data using the TL3 level, it is advisable to aggregate data at the metropolitan region level when several TL3 regions are associated to the same metropolitan region. Metropolitan regions combine TL3 regions when 50% or more of the regional population live in a functionnal urban areas above 250 000 inhabitants. This approach corrects the distortions created by commuting, see the list of OECD metropolitan regions (xlsx) and the EU methodology (link).

Territorial typologies

Small TL3 regions are categorized based on shared characteristics into regional typologies. See the demographic indicators aggregated by territorial typology at country level on the access to City typology (link) and by urban-rural typology (link).

Cite this dataset

OECD Regions and Cities databases http://oe.cd/geostats

Further information

• The interactive web-tool OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas
• The report OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance

Contact: RegionStat@oecd.org