The Implications of Urbanisation

Question 1

World Population Growth

Answer 1

• In 1950, the global population was estimated to be 2.6B people
• In 2022 it had reached 8B people
• This rapid growth is due to a large number of people surviving until reproductive age, and has been accompanied by major changes in fertility rates, improvements to healthcare, technological advancements in medicine and living standards, increasing urbanisation and accelerating migration.
• Population growth rates have increased to the current 1.05% gain per year (but the rate of increase is now falling). It took almost 7 centuries for the population to double from 0.25B in the early 9th century to 0.5B in the 16th century.

Question 2

Rise of Megacities

Answer 2

• In 2022 there were 40 megacities in the world (more than half located in Asia and the Pacific), and by 2030 the world is projected to have at least 43
• Most growth will occur in developing nations, primarily Asia
• By 2100 Nigeria is expected to be the most populated city with 88 million people

Question 3

Urban Living and Population Growth

Answer 3

• The level of development of a country affects its population growth rates - as nations develop, child mortality declines and incomes grow, and with this, fertility rates fall
• Therefore, as a country develops it is likely to experience a decline in population growth rates
• Urbanisation can cause short-term population growth in urban areas, as young people move to urban areas (as they are likely to have more children)
• Urban living is linked with: higher levels of education, better health, longer life expectancy, greater access to services, more social opportunities. This increases child survival rates in urban areas

Question 4

Implications of Urbanisation in Rural Places

Answer 4

• As the level of urbanisation increases, population in rural places decreases or slows. This is due to migration from rural to urban places (by the younger generations)
• This decreases birth rates, creating negative growth in rural places which in turn results in an ageing rural population and lower economic diversity
• 9 out of the top 10 population decline rates in 2018-2019 were in rural WA
• Additionally, there are more females leaving rural places than males, largely due to the narrow range of employment options for women in rural places that further supports the cycle of decline and further out-migration