The bar chart below illustrates the rates of urbanization worldwide and across six regions in 1975 and 2020, with a forecast for 2050. Overall, a marked trend towards higher urbanization can be seen almost universally across the globe, although variations in levels and rates are evident.
From 1975 to 2020, global urbanization increased from 40% to 56% and is expected to exceed two-thirds by 2050. This rise has been primarily driven by Asia and Africa, which recorded the lowest urban populations of around a quarter in 1975. In 2020, the figures stood at 50% and 43%, respectively. By 2050, a further 15% increase is expected in these regions, which will still remain the least urbanized.
In contrast, North America, Europe and Latin America demonstrated some of the highest urbanization rates and continue to grow, albeit slowly. In 1975, around three-quarters of people in North America and two-thirds in Europe lived in towns and cities, while by 2020 their urban populations had only gone up by approximately 10%. Similar increases are forecast for 2050, which means the North America will remain the most urbanized region, just below 90%. Latin America experienced accelerated growth from just over 60% in 1975 to just over 80% in 2020, overtaking Europe, and will reach around 87% by 2050.
Oceania, however, shows minimal variation, with urbanization rates slightly declining by 2020 and expected to rise modestly by 2050, maintaining an average of around 70%.