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The Urban World

Urban areas (towns and cities) are popular places to be and getting ever more so. Urbanisation is the growth in the proportion of people living in urban areas. Around 55% of the world lives in urban areas and this is constantly increasing. The rate of urbanisation differs between richer and poorer countries.

Urbanisation is the growth in the proportion of people living in urban areas. Around 55% of the world lives in urban areas and this is constantly increasing. The rate of urbanisation differs between richer and poorer countries. Higher Income Countries (HICs) are more economically developed, e.g. the UK and Japan. Most HICs have already experienced urbanisation, so around 80% of the population live in urban areas. Many people in HICs leave urban areas for less crowded, rural areas, so the rate of urbanisation is low -- usually under 1%. Lower Income Countries (LICs) are less economically developed, e.g. Ethiopia and Afghanistan. Only around 30% of the population currently live in urban areas, but most LICs have high rates of urbanisation -- up to 5%. Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs) are countries where economic development is increasing rapidly, e.g. Brazil and China. Their urban population is around 50%, though for countries experiencing rapid urban growth this figure can be much higher. Their rate of urbanisation is typically around 2%.

Key Terms

Urbanisation — The growth in the proportion of people living in urban areas.
Higher Income Countries (HICs) — More economically developed countries, e.g. UK, USA, Canada, France. Around 80% of the population live in urban areas.
Lower Income Countries (LICs) — Less economically developed countries, e.g. Ethiopia, Afghanistan. Only around 30% of the population currently live in urban areas, but have high rates of urbanisation -- up to 5%.
Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs) — Countries where economic development is increasing rapidly, e.g. Brazil and China. Urban population is around 50%, rate of urbanisation typically around 2%.

Rate of Urbanisation Graph

Two line graphs showing: 1) Rate of Urbanisation over time from 1960 to 2000+ showing HICs with a high but flattening line, NEEs with a rising line, and LICs with a lower but steeply rising line. 2) Urban Population over time showing similar patterns with HICs highest, NEEs rising rapidly, and LICs lowest but increasing.

HICsNEEsLICsYearRate of urbanisation

Exam Tips

  • •Make sure you can explain the difference between push and pull factors with specific examples.
  • •Remember that urbanisation is fastest in LICs and NEEs, not HICs -- HICs have already urbanised.
  • •Be able to suggest reasons for the rapid rate of urban growth in some NEEs, linking push and pull factors to natural increase.
  • •Know the definition of a megacity (10 million+) and that most are in LICs and NEEs.