Syria: housing

How many people in Syria live in informal or inadequate housing?

41.1% of Syria's urban population lived in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing in 2022, according to World Bank data from UN-Habitat.

UN-Habitat counts a household as living in a slum if it lacks one or more of: improved water, improved sanitation, enough living space, durable housing or secure tenure. Housing need is also shaped by displacement: UNHCR counted 5,542,227 internally displaced people in Syria at the end of 2025, according to its population statistics. No official housing statistics could be read, because the sites of the Central Bank of Syria (cb.gov.sy) and the Syrian Planning and Statistics Commission (psc.gov.sy), which could not be reached because of connection or TLS certificate errors when checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Population living in slums, Syria · UNHCR: Population statistics, Syria, 2025

What share of Syria is urban?

72.1%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Syria for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from 53.8% (2005) to 76.0% (2014). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 78.4%; Syria is 15th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 65th of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Syria?

According to UN-Habitat, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Syria was 41.1% in 2022. That is the highest since at least 2006. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 10.9%; Syria is 7th highest of 19. Worldwide: 53rd of 170.

How many people in Syria have electricity?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 89.3%. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 99.5%; its low point was 2018, at 86.0%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 100.0%, and Syria placed 18th highest of 22. Worldwide: 140th of 193.

What is access to clean cooking in Syria?

96.0%: that is the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Syria for 2024, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 99.5%; Syria is 16th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 76th of 192.