Lae — UN urban centre population
Lae has a recorded base population of 121,552 for the UN urban centre definition (2025 annual estimate). UN DESA, World Urbanization Prospects 2025; the moving counter uses UN 2025–2026 annual growth, not new population observations.
At a glance
Separate UN urban-centre definition
Lae UN urban centre: 121,552 people (2025), equal to the displayed UN urban centre figure of 121,552. Separate GeoNames settlement record: 76,255; the UN value is larger (different boundaries; GeoNames population date unavailable). UN WUP 2025 Degree of Urbanisation; not a municipal/province boundary. Association: name/country/coordinates matched; boundary relationship unverified. No containment claim is made.
Comparable database records
Same definition label: UN urban centre. Dates/boundaries may still differ; this is not a harmonised international city ranking. Ratios use 121,552 as denominator.
| Place | Population | vs Lae |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgetown | 121,398 | −0.1% |
| Gatineau | 121,333 | −0.2% |
| Ţarţūs | 120,050 | −1.2% |
| Nouméa | 124,060 | +2.1% |
| Pingyin | 118,771 | −2.3% |
About these numbers
Source: UN DESA, World Urbanization Prospects 2025. Reference: 2025 annual estimate. Live method: exponential projection from modelling anchor 2025-01-01 using UN 2025–2026 annual growth (+0.60% per year). This anchor is a modelling convention, not an observed population date. Tiles, ranks and comparisons use the recorded base figure 121,552, not the ticking estimate. Country/world denominators are World Bank values and can differ in date and method from local/UN values. Ranks cover only records with the same definition label in this database, not all cities in the world.
What changed during your lifetime?
Turn these figures into a private, five-scene personal world story.
Which city boundary are you reading?
This page is a structured reference entry. Its sources, geographic definition and reference dates determine what the figures mean; it is not independent reporting about the causes of change. Read the accompanying explanation before comparing different places or vintages.