Today in class, we read a text concerning the increasing migration to megacities. It’s an urbanization process which has already taken place in most industrialized countries. In the US, for instance, as much as 80 % of the population already live in cities.
By 2050, approximately 6 billion people, who represent two-thirds of humanity, will be living in towns and cities. Never before has the world witnessed such a huge and rapid urbanization. People migrate to megacities in the hope of a better life, escaping from poverty, conflicts or human rights violations. Still, there is no guarantee for a better life. People’s lifestyle in the megacities is varied, and as much as one-thirds of urban dwellers live in slum areas.
I looked at three statistics from 2006 concerning megacities and its population, populations in regions of the world and percentage of the world population in urban areas.
The statistic concerning megacities and its population is from 2006 and shows that Tokyo is on the top with its 33.4 million inhabitants. Then comes New York with its 24.1 million, Mexico City with its 21.7 million and Seoul with its 20.2 million inhabitants.
The statistic concerning the population in regions of the world shows that the rural population in North America, South America and Europe will increase by 2015. It also illustrates the decline of the rural populations in these continents. The rural population in North America consisted of 67 million people in 1995, while the urban populations consisted of 231 million people. Research shows that the urban population will increase to 301 million people in 2015, while the rural population will be reduced to 59 million people. In South America, the urban population will increase from 535 million people in 1995, to 510 million people in 2015. Same as in North America, the rural population will be reduced from 129 million, to 123 million people. The results in Europe are similar. The urban population will increase within 2015 while the rural population will be reduced.
In Africa and Asia, the urban and rural population have a different development. While the rural population in other parts of the world is reduced and will continue reducing, the African and Asian rural population is increasing. The African urban population consisted of 247 million people in 1995, and will increase to approximately 637 million people. The urban population will also be increased. In 1995 the rural population consisted of 475 million people, and will increase to 637 million people within 2015.In Asia, the urban population in 1995 consisted of 1180 million people, while the rural population consisted of 2249 million people. By 2015, the urban population will increase to 1970 million people, and the rural population toward 3000 million people.
As you can see, the urban population is increasing all over the world. In 1800, the percentage of the world population living in urban areas consisted of 2 %. In 1950, it had increased to 30 percent. Research shows that in 2030, the world population living in urban areas will be approximately 60 %.
The huge and rapid urbanization is a global challenge resulting in social, environmental and economic changes.
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Yes you are right, it is a global challenge that so many people will be living in urban areas. There will be too little food, water and other necessities.It is difficult writing about statistics, but you did a good job.
SvarSlett