7.1.1

Variations in Global Population

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Variations in Global Population

Population is concentrated in cities, with growth varying by country income level. Urbanisation, migration, and natural increase shape population patterns worldwide.

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Population concentration

  • HICs have a high % of the population living in urban areas.
  • While this is changing in LICs and MICs due to rural-urban migration, the majority of the population live rurally.
    • Or have until fairly recently in countries like China.
    • Urban populations are expected to grow rapidly in LICs.
  • High-income countries (HICs) have more stable or slower urban growth.
  • About 56% of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas.
    • Population in urban areas is expected to rise to 68% by 2050.
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Causes of urban growth

  • Urban growth means more people living in towns and cities.
  • Urban growth happens due to natural increase.
    • Natural increase means the birth rate is higher than the death rate.
  • Rural to urban migration also causes cities to expand.
  • Urbanisation is the growth in the percentage or number of people living in towns and cities.
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Urban growth variations

  • Different countries follow varied urbanisation pathways based on development.
  • HICs often see slow urban growth or counter-urbanisation.
    • Counter-urbanisation is the movement of people out of cities (urban to rural migration).
  • LICs experience rapid urbanisation with overcrowded cities.
  • MICs are in transition with growing urban areas and improving infrastructure.
Illustrative background for Rapid urban growth in LICsIllustrative background for Rapid urban growth in LICs ?? "content

Rapid urban growth in LICs

  • Economic development in cities creates jobs, attracting migrants.
  • Push factors in rural areas include poverty, lack of services, and poor land.
  • Pull factors in cities are better jobs, education, and healthcare.
  • High birth rates increase city populations naturally.

Jump to other topics

1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments

2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments

3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems

4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards

5Paper 1 - Climate Change

6Paper 2 - Changing Populations

7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities

8Paper 2 - Development

9Paper 2 - Changing Economies

10Paper 2 - Resource Provision

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