Impact of Global Urbanization

In 1800, just 3 percent of the world’s population resided in cities, according to the Population Reference Bureau. By 2050, the bureau projects that number to increase to 70 percent. As more people move into urban areas, the types of health problems they experience will change dramatically. Understanding how will be critical for primary care providers such as nurse practitioners.

Read on to learn which nations have and are expected to experience the greatest urban growth and which have and are expected to experience the least amount of urban growth. [EN1] [CT2] [BP3]

The Following nations have seen the lowest and highest rates of percent change in the percentage of people living in urban areas over the past several decades.

Gabon

  • 1950: 11.4%
  • 2010: 85.7%
  • Difference: 74.3%

Oman

  • 1950: 8.6%
  • 2010: 75.2%
  • Difference: 66.6%

Saudi Arabia

  • 1950: 21.3%
  • 2010: 82.1%
  • Difference: 60.8%

South Korea

  • 1950: 21.4%
  • 2010: 81.9%
  • Difference: 60.5%

Libya

  • 1950: 19.5%
  • 2010: 77.6%
  • Difference: 58.1%

Lebenon

  • 1950: 32.0%
  • 2010: 87.2%
  • Difference: 55.2%

Mauritania

  • 1950: 3.1%
  • 2010: 56.7%
  • Difference: 53.6%

Botswana

  • 1950: 2.7%
  • 2010: 56.2%
  • Difference: 53.5%

San Marino

  • 1950: 43.3%
  • 2010: 94.1%
  • Difference: 50.9%

Malaysia

  • 1950: 20.4%
  • 2010: 70.9%
  • Difference: 50.5%

Singapore

  • 1950: 99.4%
  • 2010: 100%
  • Difference: 0.6%

Guyana

  • 1950: 28%
  • 2010: 28.2%
  • Difference: 0.2%

Monaco

  • 1950: 100%
  • 2010: 100%
  • Difference: 0%

Nauru

  • 1950: 100%
  • 2010: 100%
  • Difference: 0%

Saint Lucia

  • 1950: 19.2%
  • 2010: 18.5%
  • Difference: -.07%

Tajikistan

  • 1950: 29.4%
  • 2010: 26.5%
  • Difference: -2.9%

Antigua and Barbuda

  • 1950: 30.1%
  • 2010: 26.2%
  • Difference: -3.9%

Barbados

  • 1950: 36.1%
  • 2010: 32.1%
  • Difference: -4%

Belize

  • 1950: 55.3%
  • 2010: 45%
  • Difference: -10.3%

Trinidad and Tobago

  • 1950: 21.4%
  • 2010: 9.1%
  • Difference: -12.3%

The Following nations are projected to see the lowest and highest rates of percent change in the percentage of people living in urban areas over the next several decades.

Rwanda

  • 2020: 33.5%
  • 2050:52.6%
  • Difference: 19.1%

Burkina Faso

  • 2020: 33.9%
  • 2050: 52%
  • Difference: 18.1%

Myanmar

  • 2020: 36.9%
  • 2050: 54.9%
  • Difference: 18%

Tanzania

  • 2020: 35.1%
  • 2050: 53%
  • Difference: 17.9%

Bangladesh

  • 2020: 38%
  • 2050: 55.7%
  • Difference: 17.7%

Laos

  • 2020: 43.5%
  • 2050: 60.8%
  • Difference: 17.3%

Eritrea

  • 2020: 25%
  • 2050: 42.1%
  • Difference: 17.1%

Vietnam

  • 2020: 36.8%
  • 2050: 53.8%
  • Difference: 17%

Madagascar

  • 2020: 38.3%
  • 2050: 55%
  • Difference: 16.7%

Lesotho

  • 2020: 30%
  • 2050: 46.7%
  • Difference: 16.7%

Uraguay

  • 2020: 96%
  • 2050: 97.5%
  • Difference: 1.5%

San Marino

  • 2020: 94.3%
  • 2050: 95.7%
  • Difference: 1.4%

Malta

  • 2020: 95.9%
  • 2050: 97.2%
  • Difference: 1.3%

Belgium

  • 2020: 98.0%
  • 2050: 98.6%
  • Difference: 0.6%

Kuwait

  • 2020: 98.4%
  • 2050: 98.8%
  • Difference: 0.4%

Qatar

  • 2020: 99.5%
  • 2050: 99.8%
  • Difference: 0.3%

Andorra

  • 2020: 82.8%
  • 2050: 83%
  • Difference: 0.2%

Singapore

  • 2020: 100%
  • 2050: 100%
  • Difference: 0%

Monaco

  • 2020: 100%
  • 2050: 100%
  • Difference: 0%

Nauru

  • 2020: 100%
  • 2050: 100%
  • Difference: 0%
  • “Human Population: Urbanization,” Population Reference Bureau. Accessed Nov. 9, 2016. www.prb.org/publications/lesson-plans/humanpopulation/urbanizaiton.aspx
  • “Urban Population by Country,” World Health Organization. Accessed Nov. 6, 2016. apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.URBPOP?lang=en

Please note that this infographic is for informational purposes only. Nursing@Georgetown does not endorse any organizations or websites contained in this infographic.