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Variations in Global Population

Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 7.1.1

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.

Population concentration

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.
Causes of urban growth

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.
Urban growth variations

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.
Rapid urban growth in LICs

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.

Test yourself on Variations in Global Population

  • Which factor primarily drives rapid urbanisation in low-income countries?

  • How do high-income countries typically experience urban population change?

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