Urbanisation in the 20th and 21st Centuries

Urbanisation is the process by which an increasing proportion of a country’s population comes to live in towns and cities rather than in rural areas. This process has been one of the most powerful forces shaping society during the 20th and 21st centuries. It has changed where people live, how they work, and how they interact with the natural environment.

In 1900, only about 16% of the world’s population lived in urban areas. By 1960 this had risen to 34%, and by 2040 it is expected to reach around 67% — meaning two-thirds of all people will live in cities or towns. The shift has been global but has taken place at different speeds in different regions.