The Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA) is a harmonized framework that includes definitions and a methodology for classifying cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas using gridded population data. It was endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission to support and facilitate international statistical comparisons along the rural-urban continuum.

However, due to the availability of multiple gridded population datasets, produced with different assumptions and modelling approaches, there is a clear need to assess (1) the overall sensitivity of the DEGURBA definitions and methodology in relation to the gridded population model choice, and (2) how this sensitivity affects the calculation of demographic indicators and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) metrics disaggregated by DEGURBA classes (ie, cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas).

In this context, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries, the project pursued five main objectives:

1. to evaluate the sensitivity of the DEGURBA definitions and methodology to the gridded population model choice;
2. to assess how this sensitivity affects the calculation of selected demographic indicators and SDG metrics disaggregated by DEGURBA class;
3. to demonstrate how the DEGURBA methodology can be used to support SDG monitoring, identify needs, plan interventions, and inform policy;
4. to actively engage with, and where possible support, countries and/or regional organisations in applying the DEGURBA framework and using its outputs to produce official statistics that support both policy formulation and decision-making; and
5. to make all data and knowledge produced/developed within the project publicly and freely available to DEGURBA end-users and stakeholders.  

The project was conducted between February 2023 and February 2026 and was co-led by WorldPop (University of Southampton) and Associate Professor Alessandro Sorichetta (Department of Earth Science, University of Milan).