Previous Year Question
As per the UN-Habitat’s Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, which one among the following regions has shown the fastest growth rate of urbanisation in the last three decades?
Asia
Europe
Latin America and Caribbean
North America
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
According to UN-Habitat’s Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, Asia recorded the fastest growth of urbanisation among the regions given in the options.
The report states that urban growth rates were higher in Africa and Asia than in other regions of the world. Since Africa is not among the options, Asia is the correct answer.
Between 1975 and 2007, Asia’s urban population increased from approximately 574 million to 1.645 billion. During the same period, the proportion of Asia’s population living in urban areas increased from 24.0% to 40.8%.
Rural-to-urban migration was the principal driver of Asian urbanisation. Natural population increase, industrialisation, expansion of manufacturing and services, and enlargement of urban boundaries also contributed to urban population growth.
The report also connects Asian urbanisation with economic transition and globalisation. Foreign investment, manufacturing activities and the concentration of employment opportunities in cities attracted population towards urban centres in many Asian countries.
The level of urbanisation must be distinguished from the growth rate of urbanisation. In 2007, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe had higher urban population shares than Asia. However, these regions were already highly urbanised and consequently experienced relatively slower further growth.
Therefore, the answer cannot be determined merely by identifying the region with the highest percentage of urban population. The question asks about the pace of change during the preceding three decades, for which the answer is Asia.