What causes urbanisation?

Before 1950, most urbanisation occurred in HICs (high-income countries). Rapid urbanisation occurred during industrialisation in Europe and North America in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Many people moved from rural to urban areas to get jobs in the rapidly expanding industries in many large towns and cities. Since 1950, urbanisation has slowed in most HICs, and some of the biggest cities are losing population as people move from the city to rural environments. This is known as counter-urbanisation. You can read more about this process here.

Since 1950, the most rapid growth in urbanisation has occurred in LICs (low-income countries) in South America, Africa, and Asia. Between 1950 and 1990, the urban population living in LICs doubled, while in developed countries, the increase was less than half.

The three leading causes of urbanisation in LICs since 1950 are:

1. Rural-to-urban migration is happening on a massive scale due to population pressure and a lack of resources in rural areas. These are ‘push’ factors.
2. People living in rural areas are ‘pulled’ to the city. They often believe that the living standard in urban areas will be much better than in rural areas. They are usually wrong. People also hope for well-paid jobs, greater casual or informal work opportunities, and better health care and education.
3. Natural increase caused by decreased death rates while birth rates remain high.

What are the push factors that lead to urbanisation?

1. Agricultural Challenges: Limited employment opportunities due to farming mechanisation, environmental factors such as droughts, or insufficient land for the growing population.
2. Economic Pressures: Poor economic conditions, lack of adequate income, and subsistence living conditions.
3. Resource Scarcity: Inadequate access to resources such as water, healthcare, and education in rural areas.
4. Disasters and Conflicts: Natural disasters that destroy livelihoods, and conflicts and wars can force people to leave rural areas.

What are the pull factors that lead to urbanisation?

1. Employment Opportunities: Availability of jobs in industrial, service, and technology sectors that are not found in rural settings.
2. Better Living Standards: Perception of a higher quality of life, including modern housing, better healthcare, and access to goods and services.
3. Education: Better educational facilities and institutions, and a wider range of educational opportunities for children and adults.
4. Social Factors: Family ties or social networks already established in cities, cultural attractions, and lifestyle considerations.
5. Healthcare Services: More accessible and advanced medical care in urban areas.

The UN predicts that by 2030, 60% of the world’s population will live in urban environments.