The bar chart illustrates the distribution of residents living in city-based areas in the world and six specific regions for the 1975 and 2020, with a forecast for 2050. Overall, a trend of increasing urbanisation can be seen almost universally across the globe, although the variation in rates and levels are apparent.
Globally, the year 1975 holds the lowest rate of urbanisation with just under 40%, but quickly rose to 57% in 2020, and is expected to increase by 13% in the upcoming 30 years. The primary contributors to this trend is Africa and Asia, with population of only a quarter in 1975 which then improved to 45% and 50% respectively in 2020. The urbanisation rates is targeted to improve to around 60% or more in 2050, but these two regions will still remain least urbanised compared to the other regions.
In contrast, three regions namely Europe, Latin America, and North America displays an already considerably high urbanisation rates and is growing the population steadily, albeit slowly. Population increase of around 10% can be seen in all three regions throughout 1975 and 2020. Forecast for 2050 also shows a similar increase, which means North America will remain the most urbanised region, staying at just under 90%. Latin America portrays accelerated growth from 60% in 1975 to 80% in 2020, overtaking Europe, and is forecasted to reach around 87% by 2050.
Lastly, Oceania presents a small variation in rates, with urbanisation experiencing a slight decline from 1975 to 2020, but is expected to grow back and maintain at 70%.