Rural to Urban Migration: 2020 Urban Learning Brief for Mission Staff

By 2050, more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas and most of theurban growth will occur in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.A major driver of this urban growth is migration, aspeople move from rural areas to cities in pursuit ofeconomic opportunities. Common factors that drivemigrants to cities include family ties, natural disasters(e.g. floods and drought), or political upheaval (e.g.conflict) push factors. This urbanization will create a sharp demand for land, infrastructure, and services in urban areas.

Big cities are major destinations for internal migration, but secondary cities are becoming increasingly important places for population and economic growth. These cities can take the pressure off overcrowded capital cities. As a result, some national governments are promoting development of secondary cities through special economic zones.

It is imperative to pay attention to the evolving relationship between urban and rural places – including the bi-directional flow of people, goods, and services. A better understanding of the social and economic links between rural and urban areas is essential to unlock the poverty reduction potential of urbanization.