What is urbanisation?

Urbanisation is the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. The graph below shows a significant increase in urbanisation between 1950 and 2014, from 0.8 billion to 3.85 billion people.

The world’s urban and rural populations 1950-2050 – source UN

Urbanisation first occurred in high-income countries (HICs) during the Industrial Revolution. People were attracted to urban areas (pulled) from rural areas to work in factories. They were also pushed as developments in technology led to mechanisation on farms.

Nowadays, the rate of urbanisation in low-income countries (LICs) is greater than in HICs. As LICs develop, more people migrate to urban areas. The choropleth maps below clearly show how many LICs are becoming more urbanised.

Percentage of the population residing in urban areas, 1950, 2014 and 2050 – source: UN – https://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2014-Report.pdf

Although urbanisation is greater in wealthier areas of the world compared to poor areas, rates of urban growth (changes between 1950 and 2000) are higher in poorer areas of the world. As you can see from the graph below, the rates of urbanisation in poorer parts of the world are very high. This is due to rural-urban migration. Current rates are projected to increase due to industrialisation and economic development in some poorer countries. Urban growth rates are lower in more developed countries because they have already taken place, hence the high levels (over 80%).

Rates of Urbanisation – Source AQA Geography Paper 2 2014

World Population Growth
The global population grew slowly until the 19th century but increased rapidly in the 20th century, reaching 6 billion by 1999. It is expected to stabilise in the 22nd century.
Migration from Rural to Urban Areas
Urbanisation refers to the growing proportion of people living in towns and cities. Between 1950 and 2014, the urban population rose dramatically from 0.8 billion to 3.85 billion.
Urbanisation in HICs
In high-income countries, urbanisation began during the Industrial Revolution, driven by rural-urban migration as people sought factory work and farm jobs declined due to mechanisation.
Urbanisation in LICs
Today, low-income countries are experiencing the fastest urbanisation rates, as economic development and job opportunities pull people from rural areas to cities.
Global Urban Growth Patterns
Choropleth maps show a clear trend of increasing urbanisation across LICs, with the percentage of people living in urban areas rising significantly from 1950 to projections for 2050.
Rate vs. Level of Urbanisation
While HICs have a higher percentage of urbanised populations, the rate of urban growth is now greater in LICs due to ongoing rural-urban migration and industrialisation.