Which state has the highest level of urbanization. The level of urbanization of the world

Despite the presence common features urbanization as a global process, in different countries and regions, it has its own characteristics, which, first of all, is reflected in the different levels and rates of urbanization. According to the level of urbanization, all countries of the world can be divided into C large groups. But the main differences can be observed between more and less developed countries. In the early 1990s, the average level of urbanization in developed countries was 72%, while in developing countries it was 33%.

Conditional levels of urbanization:

Low level of urbanization - less than 20%;

The average level of urbanization - from 20% to 50%;

High level of urbanization - from 50% to 72%;

Very high level of urbanization - more than 72%.

Weakly urbanized countries - West and East Africa, Madagascar and some Asian countries.

Medium urbanized countries - Bolivia, Africa, Asia.

Highly urbanized countries - Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, South America, CIS countries.

The pace of urbanization largely depends on its level. In most economically developed countries that have reached a high level of urbanization, the proportion of the urban population in Lately is growing relatively slowly, and the number of inhabitants in the capitals and other largest cities, as a rule, is even decreasing. Many of the citizens now prefer to live not in the centers of large cities, but in the suburban area and the countryside. But urbanization continues to develop in depth, acquiring new forms. IN developing countries ah, where the level of urbanization is much lower, it continues to grow in breadth, and the urban population is rapidly increasing. Now they account for more than 4/5 of the total annual increase in the number of urban residents, and the absolute number of city dwellers has already far exceeded their number in economically developed countries. This phenomenon, known in science as an urban explosion, has become one of the critical factors the entire socio-economic development of developing countries. However, urban population growth in these regions far outstrips them. real development. It occurs largely due to the constant "pushing" of the surplus rural population into the cities, especially large ones. At the same time, the poor usually settle on the outskirts of large cities, where belts of poverty arise.

Complete, as is sometimes said, "slum urbanization" has taken on very large proportions. That is why a number of international documents speak of an urbanization crisis in developing countries. But it continues to be largely spontaneous and disordered.

Economically developed countries are now characterized by urbanization "deeper": intensive suburbanization, the formation and spread of urban agglomerations and megacities.

In economically developed countries, on the contrary, great efforts are being made to regulate the process of urbanization and manage it. Architects, demographers, geographers, economists, sociologists, and representatives of many other sciences are involved in this work, which is often carried out by trial and error, along with government agencies.

Almost all the problems of world population, as never before, are closely intertwined in the process of world urbanization. They appear in the most concentrated form in cities. The population and production are also concentrated there, very often to the extreme limits. Urbanization is a complex and diverse process that affects all aspects of world life. Let us note only some features of world urbanization on the threshold of the third millennium. Urbanization is still going on rapidly V various forms in countries of different levels of development. In the unequal conditions of each country, urbanization occurs both in breadth and depth, at one speed or another.

The rate of annual growth of city dwellers is almost twice as high as the growth of the world's population as a whole. In 1950, 28% of the world's population lived in cities, in 1997 - 45%. Cities of different rank, significance and size in which suburbs, agglomerations, even larger urbanized zones are rapidly expanding, practically cover the main part of humanity with their influence. The major role in this is played by big cities, especially the cities with millionaires. The last in 1950, there were 116, in 1996 - there were 230. The urban lifestyle of the population, urban culture increasingly spread in rural areas of most countries of the world. In developing countries, urbanization is mainly "in breadth" as a result of a massive influx of migrants from rural areas and small towns to big cities. According to the UN, in 1995 the proportion of the urban population in developing countries as a whole was 38%, including 22% in the least developed countries. For Africa, this figure was 34%, for Asia - 35%. But in Latin America city ​​dwellers now make up the majority of the population - 74%, including in Venezuela - 93%, in Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Colombia and Peru - from 70% to 80%, etc. Only in some of the least developed countries (Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) and in the small island countries of the Caribbean, less than half of the city dwellers - from 35% to 47%.

A very large proportion of city dwellers is also characteristic of the most developed countries in the far west of Asia: Israel (91%), Lebanon (87%), Turkey (69%).

In industrialized countries, urbanization "in breadth" has long exhausted itself. In the 21st century, most of them enter almost entirely urbanized. In Europe, city dwellers make up an average of 74% of the population, including 81% in Western Europe, and even more in some countries: in Belgium - 97%, the Netherlands and Great Britain - 90%, in Germany - 87%, although in some countries the city dwellers much less: in Austria, for example, - 56%, in Switzerland - 61%. High urbanization in Northern Europe: an average of 73%, as well as in Denmark and Norway - 70%. It is noticeably smaller in the South and Eastern Europe, but, of course, with other indicators of urbanization, it is higher than in developing countries. In the US and Canada, the share of the urban population reaches 80%.

The concentration of the transport industry has worsened economic conditions life in big cities. In many areas, the population is now growing faster in small towns, on the outskirts than in the centers of agglomerations. Often the largest cities, especially cities with millionaires, lose their population due to its migration to the suburbs, satellite cities, in some places to the countryside, where it brings an urban lifestyle. The urban population of industrialized countries is now practically not growing.

The urbanization of a country is a process of increasing the proportion of the urban population, which is accompanied by an increase in the economic, political and cultural importance of cities compared to rural areas.

Urban population (%)

Brazil

New Zealand

Finland

Luxembourg

United Arab Emirates

The level of urbanization of a country is measured as the percentage of the population that lives in the city as a percentage of the total population. This rating was published in 2012. Finland is in the top lines of the ranking, taking 25th place. From this we can conclude that the urban population prevails over the rural population. Nevertheless, almost 15% of the population is a significant indicator that reflects the role of agriculture in the Finnish economy.

3.6 Ranking of countries in the world according to the level of perception of corruption

The Corruption Perceptions Index is a global study and an accompanying ranking of the countries of the world in terms of the prevalence of corruption in the public sector. Calculated according to the methodology of the international non-governmental organization Transparency International, based on a combination of publicly available statistical data and the results of a global survey.

The Corruption Perceptions Index is a composite indicator calculated on the basis of data obtained from expert sources provided by international organizations. All sources measure the overall prevalence of corruption (frequency and/or amount of bribes) in the public and economic sectors and include multiple country estimates. The index ranks countries and territories on a scale from 0 (highest corruption) to 100 (lowest corruption) based on perceptions of public sector corruption.

Leadership in this rating is a serious achievement for any country, despite some subjectivity of assessments. Finland shares the first place with Denmark and New Zealand, and accordingly, has one of the lowest levels of corruption in the world.

3.7 World reputation ranking

World Reputation Rating (The Country RepTrak) is a global study and the accompanying rating of countries and territories of the world in terms of their reputation. Issued by the international consulting company Reputation Institute, which specializes in the field of research, audit and reputation management. To date, it is the only periodic analytical rating that assesses the reputation of various countries in the world. The authors of the study believe that there is a correlation between a country's reputation and its economic performance.

The reputation of the countries of the world is evaluated in four main categories:

    Delight.

  • Attachment.

    Respect.

These four elements are in turn divided into 16 categories, which include such parameters as quality of life, foreign policy, business climate, goods and services, infrastructure, natural beauty and tourist attraction. Estimates of these indicators, collected on the basis of surveys, are used in the calculation of the rating to determine the reputation of a particular country.

Reputation

Reputation

Switzerland

Australia

Norway

New Zealand

Finland

Netherlands

The well-deserved high opinion of Finland in the world reflects the role that Finland plays as one of the leading countries in Europe. The 8th place in the ranking also allows us to conclude that Finland has successfully positioned itself in the world community.

The high positions of Finland in all the above ratings characterize it as one of the most attractive countries for life. It can be seen that stability, sustainable development, social responsibility are priority areas in Finland's domestic policy.

LEVELS AND RATES OF URBANIZATION

Despite the presence of common features of urbanization as a global process in different countries and regions, it has its own characteristics, which, first of all, are expressed in various levels and the pace of urbanization.

By level of urbanization all countries of the world can be subdivided into three large groups. But the main watershed passes nevertheless between more and less developed countries. In the late 90s. V developed countries the level of urbanization averaged 75%, and in developing countries - 41%.


highly urbanized countries medium urbanized countries poorly urbanized countries
The share of the urban population is more than 50% Percentage of urban population
20-50%
Share of urban population less than 20%
Great Britain Algeria Chad
Venezuela Bolivia; Ethiopia
Kuwait Nigeria Somalia
Sweden India Niger
Australia Zaire Mali
Japan Egypt Zambia


The rate of urbanization largely depends on the level.

Most economically developed countries that have reached a high level of urbanization, the share of the urban population in Lately growing relatively slowly , and the number of inhabitants in the capitals and other largest cities, as a rule, even decreases. Many city dwellers now prefer to live not in the centers of large cities, but in suburbs and rural areas. This is due to the rise in the cost of engineering equipment, dilapidated infrastructure, extreme complication of transport problems, pollution environment. But urbanization continues to develop in depth, acquiring new forms.


IN developing countries, where the level of urbanization is much higher short , it continues to grow in breadth, and the urban population increases rapidly. Today, they account for more than 4/5 of the total annual increase in the number of urban residents, and the absolute number of city dwellers has already far exceeded their number in economically developed countries. This phenomenon, which has received the name in science urban explosion, has become one of the most important factors in the entire socio-economic development of developing countries. However, the population growth of cities in these regions is far ahead of their real development. It occurs largely due to the constant "pushing" of the surplus rural population into the cities, especially large ones. At the same time, the poor usually settle on the outskirts of large cities, where there are belts of poverty, slums. Complete, as they sometimes say, slum urbanization "has taken on a very large size. She continues to be basically spontaneous and disordered. In economically developed countries, on the contrary, great efforts are being made to regulate the process of urbanization and manage it.

Let us note only some features of world urbanization on the threshold of the third millennium. Urbanization still continues at a rapid pace in various forms in countries of different levels of development, in different conditions of each country, both in breadth and depth, at one speed or another. The rate of annual growth of city dwellers is almost twice as high as the growth of the world's population as a whole. In 1950, 28% of the world's population lived in cities, in 1997 - 45%. Cities of different rank, significance and size with rapidly growing suburbs, agglomerations, even more extensive urbanized zones practically embrace main part humanity. The major role in this is played by big cities, especially the cities with millionaires. The last in 1950, there were 116, in 1996 there were already 230 of them. The urban lifestyle of the population, urban culture in the broadest sense of the word, is increasingly spreading in rural areas in most countries of the world. (urbanization) .


IN developing countries urbanization is on the rise "in breadth" as a result of a massive influx of migrants from rural areas and small towns to large cities.

For economically developed countries are now characterized by urbanization "into": intensive suburbanization, formation and spread of urban agglomerations and megacities. The concentration of the transportation industry worsened the economic conditions of life in the big cities. In many areas, the population is now growing faster in small towns, on the outskirts than in the centers of agglomerations. Often the largest cities, especially cities with millionaires, lose their population due to its migration to the suburbs, satellite cities, in some places to the countryside, where it brings an urban lifestyle.

The urban population of industrialized countries is now practically not growing.

Independent Singapore

Singapore is the most urbanized country in the world, according to World Urban Prospects. It is considered the second most densely populated. With an area of ​​714.3 km2, 5,312,400 people live here, which means 7,437 people/km2.

Until 1965, Singapore was part of Malaysia. But on August 9, he declared independence. The leadership of the federation easily let go of Singapore - they believed that because of this country, the ethnic balance in the direction of the Chinese population was greatly disturbed.

The most difficult period for Singapore is the period from 1959 to 1990. During this time, the country was deprived of almost all resources, even getting water from Johor, in Malaysia. During the reign of Lee Kuan Yew, many problems were solved. Thanks to this, Singapore has made a huge economic leap - from the strange third world, he got into the list of the most developed countries with the highest standard of living.

Sushi growth

The most urbanized country continues to increase its territory through land reclamation. For 50 years, the area of ​​Singapore, thanks to this natural phenomenon, has increased by more than 200 square kilometers, and continues to increase.

A clear disadvantage of the country's urbanization is deforestation. Rainforests, which are one of the most important elements of the country's ecosystem, have practically disappeared. The Bukit Tamah Reserve can be considered the only significant rainforest area. But even here there are problems, as the degree of urbanization approaches 100%, and this reserve may one day disappear from the face of the Earth.

Australia ranked second in urbanization

Another state that can bear the title of the most urbanized country is Australia. Despite the sparse population throughout the continent, this does not prevent Australia from taking its place in the ranking of urbanized countries.

One of the reasons for the urbanization of the country can be considered that immigrants, arriving on the continent, settled in cities - most of the land was already occupied by sheep farmers.

In Australia, it is customary to call those settlements that have more than 1,000 people, and sometimes less, a city.

The largest city in Australia is Sydney, which is home to more than 3 million people. The second city in terms of population is Melbourne, it is inhabited by 3 million people. These giant cities accommodate about 40% of the population of the entire country. According to some sources, Australia is the most urbanized country.

These two countries are fighting almost equally for the title of the most urbanized state. On this moment Singapore is definitely the leader. But half a century ago, this title was shared by Australia and the United States, so over the next few decades the situation may change dramatically.

A global phenomenon overtook humanity in the 21st century. Rapid changes have led not only to positive consequences. Urbanization, although perceived by many as something modern and necessary, still carries a lot of negative consequences. It is possible to answer the question of what urbanization is only if we understand all the positive and negative points how it affects society, geography, ecology, politics and many other aspects of human life.

The definition of this word is simple only at a glance. Urbanization, its definition, is the increase in urban-type settlements. However, the concept is much broader, it includes not only the increase total number citizens who live in cities.

This is the spread of the urban lifestyle in the villages, the penetration of the mentality and aspects social communication. The term is closely related to the social and territorial division of labor.

There is a definition in various sciences: sociology, geography,. The term implies the process of participation of large developing territorial points in the development of society. The definition also includes the aspect that population growth in cities determines the change in the social, economic, demographic nature. This process affects the way of life not only of those who have moved, but also of those who have stayed.

Urbanization of the population

Urbanization in Wikipedia is defined as the process of increasing the role of cities, increasing the number. Wikipedia draws attention to the fact that urban culture is beginning to condition and displace rural culture, there is a transformation of values ​​through the prism of industrial development.

The phenomenon is accompanied by a pendulum movement (temporary moving for earnings, for domestic needs). The fact is noted that in 1800 only 3% of the world's population lived in cities, but now this figure is almost 50%.

You need to understand what drives people who move to permanent place residence in cities. They are primarily driven by the financial factor, because even in our country there are significant differences between how much the residents of villages and residents of large cities receive. At the same time, the cost of food products and goods from the main group differs slightly.

It is clear that villagers who have the opportunity to work outside their locality will tend to cities, where the opportunity to earn twice or three times higher is provided. A significant factor is the difficult economic situation. It encourages people to be insecure about the future.

The rapid flow, which is not accompanied by the allocation of a sufficient number of jobs, leads to the fact that residents are forced to crowd into insufficient premises on the outskirts of cities. Such phenomena often occur in the localities of Latin America and Africa, where today the highest rate of population flow to cities.

The process has positive and negative implications. The main advantages are that the city is growing, growing, that residents can gain new knowledge, earn more money improve your education, achieve career heights. At the same time, employers are also happy, because there are more new hands, there is always a choice of candidates.

However, migrants who come in search of money accept any salary, which allows employers to lower minimum wages. Also, the rapid flow threatens that the city system may become unusable. Since it is not designed to serve so many people.

The negative factor of a large crowd of residents is constant traffic jams, environmental degradation, the growth of anti-Semitic and racist sentiments, and an increase in the number of criminal acts.

Urbanization of the population about countries

In geography

Urbanization is defined as the process of growth of the urban population in the world, the consolidation and increase of cities in their area, the emergence of new systems and networks of cities. Also in geography, the special importance of the phenomenon in modern world. The atlas of geography shows that growth rates are high in underdeveloped areas, but this is not progress.

The 1990s witnessed the fastest rate of rural-urban migration, but now the phenomenon has slowed down a bit. The more developed and economically richer a place becomes, the smaller the difference in the wages of its inhabitants. For those who live in the villages, it makes no sense to move to the metropolis, because the salaries are the same, there are development prospects in their native place.

Useful video: lecture for grade 10 on urbanization

Causes

The reasons for urbanization are different, they are not determined only by economic circumstances.

There are such main reasons:

  • a surplus of workers in rural areas;
  • expansion in size as a result of the industrial revolution;
  • development of industry in megacities;
  • favorable cultural, living conditions of cities.

We must not overlook the fact that there are certain sentiments associated with people from the countryside. As a result of the fact that in the regions it is impossible to organize a full-fledged education system, a medical network, the townspeople are accustomed to thinking that the rural ones are somewhat “lower” than them. Urbanization and reurbanization (development of urban sentiments beyond the boundaries of megacities) makes it possible to eradicate this opinion.

Migration of the population from the countryside

Levels

All countries of the world are divided into three groups depending on the pace of the process.

The levels of urbanization are as follows:

  • high (more than half of the urban population);
  • medium (urban 20-30%);
  • low (less than 20%).

Countries with a high level of urbanization include Japan, Sweden, England, Australia, Venezuela. Intermediate countries: Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, India. The rural population prevails in Mali, Zambia, Chad, Ethiopia.

Note! Do not confuse level and pace. The rate does not mean the current state of the country, but the rate at which the urban population is growing.

Economically developed countries with a high rate of urban dwellers now note a small percentage of those who want to live in cities. Most of the inhabitants are gradually moving to the outskirts, to the villages, where they can enjoy clean air and run their own household. The number of urban dwellers is increasing in developing countries.

This is explained by the fact that social and economic development is directly related to the development of the person himself. People, wanting to get the maximum, tend to cities. There is also the so-called “slum” life.

The phenomenon occurs when villager, moving to Big City, discover that they have no housing, that not every employer is ready to hire them and pay big money. Not wanting to give up their dream, they settle on the outskirts of the city, where housing is inexpensive. In this way, growth occurs, but this does not indicate progress.

Countries with high

These are those where the number of urban population exceeds 50%.

These include:

  • South Korea;
  • Canada;
  • Monaco;
  • St. Maarten;
  • Singapore;
  • Bermuda;
  • Japan;
  • Great Britain;
  • Australia;
  • Venezuela;
  • Sweden;
  • Kuwait and others.

Note! According to the UN, at the moment the pace of urbanization has slowed down a bit. The organization publishes research data for the last two years.

Countries with high levels of urban migration are located predominantly in Latin America, South and East Asia, Central Africa.

South Korea

Level in the world

The main aspect of the modern process is not only rapid population growth. The concept of suburbanization has appeared, meaning the creation of spatial forms on the basis of cities - megacities. There is a deconcentration of the population here. The term implies not only growth in breadth, that is, locality becomes territorially larger, but also upwards. The construction of high skyscrapers, small apartments allows you to accommodate more people per square meter.

The global trend is accompanied by a demographic boom. By increasing the economic profile, citizens of a certain country understand that by moving, they can give their children more. As a result of this, a problem arises: many children are born in cities, and extinction occurs in villages. However, in the world recent years there is a decrease in the rate of both urbanization and the birth rate.

Note! As for Russia, there is another trend - the transformation of villages into urban settlements.

The ratio of urban and rural population

Urbanization in Russia

In Russia, this phenomenon is widespread, and is associated primarily with the economic situation in the country. In the capital of the Russian Federation, a person can earn 2-5 times more than in a village, doing the same work. The percentage of urbanization is now quite high - it is 73%.

This was influenced by such negative factors:

  • absence in legislative acts regulations that would adequately regulate the issues of migration within the country;
  • difficulties in the economic situation of the country;
  • large delays in wages;
  • a small selection of vacancies in rural areas;
  • instability in the political sphere;
  • low wages.

Useful video: Russian cities - urbanization

Conclusion

The pace of the process is increasing every year. Government Services deal with issues of migration within the country, but, as practice shows, this is not always effective.

The process of moving citizens of countries has both its pluses and minuses. It is not possible to say unequivocally what it will be like in the future, whether it can stop altogether.


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