

The pattern, pace and causes of rural-urban migration continue to be diverse, and significantly influenced by the search for opportunity in cities, the flight from conflict, poverty and climate events, amongst other issues. The analysis of demographic trends is particularly relevant as larger shares of people move to or live in urban areas. The report explores how population growth, aging and migration affect the growth trajectories of cities, and how and why city-level demographic trends diverge from national and regional trends.

This report – Demographic Trends and Urbanization – aims to frame that conversation by tracing the relationship between urbanization and relevant demographic indicators and how demography shapes a country’s desired development outcomes. As population growth rates continue to decline in every region of the world, and in the face of an unprecedented aging of global population, one question is top of mind for everyone – what do these trends mean for the world’s cities? Global demographic trends are at a turning point.
