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One projection in the graph provided suggests Causes of Urbanisation
that, by 2030, the proportion of people living in Industrial growth, social factors,
cities may reach a global average of 60 per cent. modernisation and economic opportunities
Th e rapid growth of cities like Chicago in cause urbanisation. An increase in the
the late 19th century and Mumbai a century number of people moving from rural to urban
later can be attributed largely to rural-urban areas also leads to urbanisation. Th e reasons
migration. Th is kind of growth is especially of urbanisation are given below.
common in developing countries.
Industrial Growth
Prior to 1950, the majority of urbanisation
Industrial growth is a major cause of
occurred in more economically developed
urbanisation as it has expanded the employment
countries (MEDCs). Rapid urbanisation
opportunities. Rural people have migrated to
took place during the period of
cities on account of these opportunities. When
industrialisation that occurred in Europe
the urban population growth rate is 40 per cent
and North America in the 19th and early
in India, the industrial growth rate is about 60
20th centuries. Many people moved from
per cent per annum.
rural to urban areas to get jobs in the rapidly
expanding industries of the many large towns Social Factors
and cities. Since 1950, urbanisation has Many social factors such as the attraction
slowed in most MEDCs and now some of the of cities, better standard of living, better
biggest cities are losing their populations as educational facilities and the need for
people are moving away from the city to rural achieving a respectable status also induce
environments. people to migrate to cities. Th ere are
numerous social benefi ts attributed to life in
cities and towns.
Employment Opportunities
In rural sectors, people depend mainly on
agriculture for their livelihood. But Indian
agriculture depends greatly on the annual
monsoon. Hence, in the event of a drought
or other natural calamities, rural populations
have to migrate to cities. In cities and towns,
Large population in urban cities there are ample job opportunities that
continually draw people from the rural areas
who seek a better livelihood. Th erefore, a
Let’s Discuss
majority of people frequently migrate into
In 2011, Northern America had the urban areas in the hope of getting well-paying
highest level of urbanisation (82.2 per jobs. Employment in all the developmental
cent), followed by Latin America and the
Caribbean (79.1 per cent). sectors such as public health, education,
transport, sports and recreation, industries
and business enterprises is available in urban
induce: bring about or give rise to
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