According to UN estimates, the majority of Russia's population (48%) resides in major cities, with small towns hosting 31% and rural areas accommodating 21%. This pattern is common in post-Soviet countries, many Latin American nations, and numerous African countries.

In contrast, Western countries often see population concentrations in small towns or villages. For example, in France, 37.5% of the population resides in rural areas, while in Austria, it is 40.7%. Despite being some of the wealthiest and most developed countries globally, having a significant portion of the population living in villages might seem paradoxical. However, this trend reflects the luxury of being able to afford comfortable living outside urban areas in these nations.