The fastest growing city in Africa is Bujumbura, in Burundi. In 2020, this city had an estimated population of about one million. By 2035, the population of Bujumbura could increase by 123 percent and reach roughly 2.3 million people. Zinder, in Niger, had about half million inhabitants in 2020 and, with a growth rate of 118 percent, is Africa's second fastest growing city. In 2035, Zinder could have over one million residents.

As of 2021, the largest city in whole Africa is Lagos, in Nigeria. Other highly populated cities in Africa are Kinshasa, in Congo, Cairo, and Alexandria, both located in Egypt.

In 2025, the degree of urbanization worldwide was at 58 percent. North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean were the regions with the highest level of urbanization, with over four-fifths of the population residing in urban areas. The degree of urbanization defines the share of the population living in areas defined as "cities". On the other hand, less than half of Africa's population lives in urban settlements. Globally, China accounts for over one-quarter of the built-up areas of more than 500,000 inhabitants. The definition of a city differs across various world regions - some countries count settlements with 100 houses or more as urban, while others only include the capital of a country or provincial capitals in their count. Largest agglomerations worldwideThough North America is the most urbanized continent, no U.S. city was among the top ten urban agglomerations worldwide in 2023. Tokyo-Yokohama in Japan was the largest urban area in the world that year, with 37.7 million inhabitants. New York ranked 13th, with 21.4 million inhabitants. Eight of the 10 most populous cities are located in Asia. ConnectivityIt may be hard to imagine how the reality will look in 2050, with 70 percent of the global population living in cities, but some statistics illustrate the ways urban living differs from suburban and rural living. American urbanites may lead more “connected” (i.e., internet-connected) lives than their rural and/or suburban counterparts. As of 2021, around 89 percent of people living in urban areas owned a smartphone. Internet usage was also higher in cities than in rural areas. On the other hand, rural areas always have, and always will, attract those who want to escape the rush of the city.

Cities ranking and mega citiesTokyo is the world’s largest city with an agglomeration of 37 million inhabitants, followed by New Delhi with 29 million, Shanghai with 26 million, and Mexico City and São Paulo, each with around 22 million inhabitants. Today, Cairo, Mumbai, Beijing and Dhaka all have close to 20 million inhabitants. By 2020, Tokyo’s population is projected to begin to decline, while Delhi is projected to continue growing and to become the most populous city in the world around 2028.By 2030, the world is projected to have 43 megacities with more than 10 million inhabitants, most of them in developing regions. However, some of the fastest-growing urban agglomerations are cities with fewer than 1 million inhabitants, many of them located in Asia and Africa. While one in eight people live in 33 megacities worldwide, close to half of the world’s urban dwellers reside in much smaller settlements with fewer than 500,000 inhabitants.About the dataThe 2018 Revision of the World Urbanization Prospects is published by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). It has been issued regularly since 1988 with revised estimates and projections of the urban and rural populations for all countries of the world, and of their major urban agglomerations. The data set and related materials are available at: https://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. As of 2024, the country counted over 232.6 million individuals, whereas Ethiopia, which ranked second, has around 132 million inhabitants. Egypt registered the largest population in North Africa, reaching nearly 116 million people. In terms of inhabitants per square kilometer, Nigeria only ranks seventh, while Mauritius has the highest population density on the whole African continent. The fastest-growing world region Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, after Asia. Nevertheless, Africa records the highest growth rate worldwide, with figures rising by over two percent every year. In some countries, such as Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, the population increase peaks at over three percent. With so many births, Africa is also the youngest continent in the world. However, this coincides with a low life expectancy. African cities on the rise The last decades have seen high urbanization rates in Asia, mainly in China and India. However, African cities are currently growing at larger rates. Indeed, most of the fastest-growing cities in the world are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gwagwalada, in Nigeria, and Kabinda, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked first worldwide. By 2035, instead, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria.

This collection contains two datasets: one, data used in TI-City model to predict future urban expansion in Accra, Ghana; and two, residential electricity consumption data used to map intra-urban living standards in Karachi, Pakistan. The TI-City model data are ASCII files of infrastructure and amenities that affect location decisions of households and developers. The residential electricity consumption data consist of average kilowatt hours (kw/h) of electricity consumed per month by ~ 2 million households in Karachi. The electricity consumption data is aggregated into 30m grid cells (count = 193050), with centroids and consumption values provided. The values of the points (centroids), captured under the field "Avg_Avg_Cs", represents the median of average monthly consumption of households within the 30m grid cells.

Our project addresses a critical gap in social research methodology that has important implications for combating urban poverty and promoting sustainable development in low and middle-income countries. Simply put, we're creating a low-cost tool for gathering critical information about urban population dynamics in cities experiencing rapid spatial-demographic and socioeconomic change. Such information is vital to the success of urban planning and development initiatives, as well as disaster relief efforts. By improving the information base of the actors involved in such activities we aim to improve the lives of urban dwellers across the developing world, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable. The key output for the project will be a freely available 'City Sampling Toolkit' that provides detailed instructions and opensource software tools for replicating the approach at various spatial scales.

Our research is motivated by the growing recognition that cities are critical arenas for action in global efforts to tackle poverty and transition towards more environmentally sustainable economic growth. Between now and 2050 the global urban population is projected to grow by over 2 billion, with the overwhelming majority of this growth taking place in low and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. Developing evidence-based policies for managing this growth is an urgent task. As UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has observed: "Cities are increasingly the home of humanity. They are central to climate action, global prosperity, peace and human rights...To transform our world, we must transform its cities."

Unfortunately, even basic data about urban populations are lacking in many of the fastest growing cities of the world. Existing methods for gathering vital information, including censuses and sample surveys, have critical limitations in urban areas experiencing rapid change. And 'big data' approaches are not an adequate substitute for representative population data when it comes to urban planning and policymaking. We will overcome these limitations through a combination of conceptual innovation and creative integration of novel tools and techniques that have been developed for sampling, surveying and estimating the characteristics of populations that are difficult to enumerate. This, in turn, will help us capture the large (and sometimes uniquely vulnerable) 'hidden populations' in cities missed by traditional approaches.

By using freely available satellite imagery, we can get an idea of the current shape of a rapidly changing city and create a 'sampling frame' from which we then identify respondents for our survey. Importantly, and in contrast with previous approaches, we aren't simply going to count official city residents. We are interested in understanding the characteristics of the actually present population, including recent migrants, temporary residents, and those living in informal or illegal settlements, who are often not considered formal residents in official enumeration exercises. In other words, our 'inclusion criterion' for the survey exercise is presence not residence. By adopting this approach, we hope to capture a more accurate picture of city populations. We will also limit the length of our survey questionnaire to maximise responses and then use novel statistical techniques to reconstruct a rich statistical portrait that reflects a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic information.

We will pilot our methodology in a city in Pakistan, which recently completed a national census exercise that has generated some controversy with regard to the accuracy of urban population counts. To our knowledge this would be the first project ever to pilot and validate a new sampling and survey methodology at the city scale in a developing country.

Nigeria is the African country with the largest population, counting over 230 million people. As of 2024, the largest city in Nigeria was Lagos, which is also the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of population size. The city counts more than nine million inhabitants, whereas Kano, the second most populous city, registers around 3.6 million inhabitants. Lagos is the main financial, cultural, and educational center in the country. Where Africa’s urban population is booming The metropolitan area of Lagos is also among the largest urban agglomerations in the world. Besides Lagos, another most populated citiy in Africa is Cairo, in Egypt. However, Africa’s urban population is booming in other relatively smaller cities. For instance, the population of Bujumbura, in Burundi, could grow by 123 percent between 2020 and 2035, making it the fastest growing city in Africa and likely in the world. Similarly, Zinder, in Niger, could reach over one million inhabitants by 2035, the second fastest growing city. Demographic urban shift More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. In the next decades, this will increase, especially in Africa and Asia. In 2020, over 80 percent of the population in Northern America was living in urban areas, the highest share in the world. In Africa, the degree of urbanization was about 40 percent, the lowest among all continents. Meeting the needs of a fast-growing population can be a challenge, especially in low-income countries. Therefore, there will be a growing necessity to implement policies to sustainably improve people’s lives in rural and urban areas.

Tree species abundance in Georgetown GuyanaThese data represent the abundance of tree species in Georgetown Guyana. Individual trees with diameter at breast height (1.3 m) greater than 7 cm were counted in 45 transects with dimensions of 200 m in length and 60 m in width (30 m on each side). The Species column represents species identification, Abundance represents counts of each species wihtin each transect, Transect.No. represents a unique identifier for each transect, Transect.Type represents whether transects were commercial or residential, No.of.Buildings represents number of buildings within a transect, total.BA.m2 represents total basal area of all trees in a transect in square meters, total.crownArea.m2 represents the crown area of all tree species in a transect in square meters, Proportion.East.Indian represents proportion of residents of East Indian ancestry in neighborhoods containing transects, Origin.code represents the origin of tree species, Use.Acronym represents use of ...

Land Planning and Development Market Outlook

As of 2023, the global land planning and development market size is estimated to be worth approximately USD 12.8 billion. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%, this market is projected to reach a valuation of USD 20.4 billion by 2032. A major growth factor driving this expansion is the increasing global focus on sustainable and efficient land use, which is becoming paramount as urbanization rapidly progresses. The need for coherent planning to accommodate burgeoning populations in urban areas has catalyzed growth in this sector, encouraging both public and private investments.

One of the primary growth drivers in the land planning and development market is the global population increase coupled with urbanization trends. As more people migrate to urban areas, there is an escalating demand for residential, commercial, and industrial infrastructure. This urban migration not only necessitates the development of new infrastructures but also demands efficient land use strategies to ensure sustainability and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, the advent of smart cities and the integration of technology in urban planning are further propelling the demand for advanced land planning solutions that prioritize resource optimization and smart infrastructure development.

Furthermore, government policies and regulations are playing a critical role in shaping the land planning and development market. Governments around the world are implementing policies that favor sustainable development and urban renewal projects. Such policies often include financial incentives and subsidies for developers and planners who adhere to eco-friendly and sustainable practices. In many regions, zoning laws and regulations are being updated to accommodate new planning methodologies that focus on sustainability, efficiency, and environmental conservation. This regulatory push is expected to drive considerable growth in the market as stakeholders seek to align with these evolving mandates.

Technology also serves as a significant growth catalyst in this market. The emergence of advanced planning tools and software has revolutionized the way land planning is approached. Technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and various simulation tools have enabled planners and developers to design more effectively and efficiently, considering multiple variables and constraints. These technologies not only enhance the precision and speed of planning processes but also help in mitigating risks and reducing costs, thereby making land planning more accessible and appealing to a broader range of stakeholders.

Regionally, the Asia Pacific is emerging as a pivotal region for the growth of the land planning and development market. With its rapidly growing populations and economies, countries such as China and India are investing heavily in infrastructure development, urban renewal, and sustainable city planning. The region is expected to witness the fastest growth with a CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period. Meanwhile, North America and Europe continue to invest significantly in urban development, focusing on smart city initiatives and sustainable planning. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, although currently smaller markets in comparison, are projected to see steady growth as urbanization and economic development in these regions gain momentum.

Service Type Analysis

The service type segment of the land planning and development market includes site planning, urban planning, environmental planning, transportation planning, and others. Site planning, being fundamental to any land development project, commands a significant portion of the market. It involves the strategic arrangement of physical structures on a given piece of land, ensuring optimal utilization and adherence to regulatory requirements. The growing emphasis on sustainable development has led to site planning becoming increasingly sophisticated, integrating elements of environment conservation while maximizing land utility.

Urban planning is another critical service type that has seen substantial growth, driven by the need for structured and sustainable urban environments. As cities expand, the demand for comprehensive urban planning services has intensified, focusing on creating functional and livable urban spaces. These services are pivotal in addressing issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, and the efficient distribution of resources. Innovations in urban planning, fueled by technologies such as smart grids and IoT, a

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. As of 2025, the country counted over 237.5 million individuals, whereas Ethiopia, which ranked second, has around 135.5 million inhabitants. Egypt registered the largest population in North Africa, reaching nearly 118.4 million people. In terms of inhabitants per square kilometer, Nigeria only ranked seventh, while Mauritius had the highest population density on the whole African continent in 2023. The fastest-growing world region Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, after Asia. Nevertheless, Africa records the highest growth rate worldwide, with figures rising by over two percent every year. In some countries, such as Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, the population increase peaks at over three percent. With so many births, Africa is also the youngest continent in the world. However, this coincides with a low life expectancy. African cities on the rise The last decades have seen high urbanization rates in Asia, mainly in China and India. However, African cities are currently growing at larger rates. Indeed, most of the fastest-growing cities in the world are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gwagwalada, in Nigeria, and Kabinda, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked first worldwide. By 2035, instead, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria.

Urban areas are Earth’s fastest growing land use that impact hydrological and ecological systems and the surface energy balance. The identification and extraction of accurate spatial information relating to urban areas is essential for future sustainable city planning owing to its importance within global environmental change and human–environment interactions. However, monitoring urban expansion using medium resolution (30–250 m) imagery remains challenging due to the variety of surface materials that contribute to measured reflectance resulting in spectrally mixed pixels. This research integrates high spatial resolution orthophotos and Landsat imagery to identify differences across a range of diverse urban subsets within the rapidly expanding Perth Metropolitan Region (PMR), Western Australia. Results indicate that calibrating Landsat-derived subpixel land-cover estimates with correction values (calculated from spatially explicit comparisons of subpixel Landsat values to classified high-resolution data which accounts for over [under] estimations of Landsat) reduces moderate resolution urban area over (under) estimates by on an average 55.08% for the PMR. This approach can be applied to other urban areas globally through use of frequently available and/or low-cost high spatial resolution imagery (e.g. using Google Earth). This will improve urban growth estimations to help monitor and measure change whilst providing metrics to facilitate sustainable urban development targets within cities around the world.

Utility Location Services Market Outlook

The global utility location services market size is projected to reach USD 5.8 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from the estimated value of USD 3.3 billion in 2023. This market is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing demand for infrastructure development and maintenance across various sectors such as construction, oil and gas, and telecommunications. The demand is further propelled by the need to avoid damage and minimize costs associated with accidental utility strikes during excavation activities, thereby ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory requirements.

A key growth factor for the utility location services market is the rising urbanization and industrialization across the globe, which necessitates the expansion and maintenance of underground utilities. As cities grow and new urban areas are developed, the complexity of underground utility networks also increases, driving the demand for precise and reliable utility location services. This growth is particularly pronounced in emerging economies where rapid population growth and urban sprawl require extensive infrastructure projects. Additionally, developed countries are investing in upgrading aging infrastructure, further boosting the demand for utility location services.

Technological advancements in detection and mapping techniques are also contributing to the growth of the utility location services market. Innovations such as advanced ground-penetrating radar (GPR) systems, electromagnetic location technologies, and GIS-based mapping solutions have significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of utility detection processes. These technologies enable service providers to deliver more accurate and efficient services, which are critical in reducing the risks and costs associated with utility strikes. As these technologies become more affordable and widely adopted, their impact on market growth is expected to be substantial.

Another significant growth driver is the increasing regulatory pressure and emphasis on safety standards in construction and infrastructure development. Governments and regulatory bodies around the world are implementing stringent regulations to ensure the safety of construction activities and prevent accidents related to utility strikes. Compliance with these regulations necessitates the use of advanced utility location services, thereby driving market growth. Moreover, the rising awareness of the economic and environmental impacts of utility strikes is prompting industries to adopt proactive measures, further fueling the demand for these services.

Regionally, North America is expected to maintain its dominance in the utility location services market, driven by substantial investments in infrastructure development and the presence of a well-established utility network. The region's stringent regulatory framework concerning construction activities and utility management further enhances the demand for these services. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth, fueled by rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and significant infrastructure development projects. The increasing focus on smart city initiatives in countries such as China and India is also expected to contribute to the market's regional expansion.

Service Type Analysis

The utility location services market is segmented by service types, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic location, acoustic location, and others. Ground-penetrating radar is one of the most widely used and effective methods in the industry due to its ability to detect non-metallic and metallic utilities. GPR technology uses high-frequency radio waves to penetrate the ground and produce images of the subsurface, allowing operators to visualize the underground utility network with precision. The increasing adoption of GPR can be attributed to its versatility and accuracy, making it a preferred choice for complex urban environments where other methods may fall short.

Electromagnetic location services are another critical component of the utility location services market. This method primarily targets metallic utilities by inducing electromagnetic fields and detecting the resulting signal, which helps locate buried assets. The effectiveness of electromagnetic location is heightened in environments where metallic pipes and cables are prevalent. Due to its cost-effectiveness and relatively straightforward operational methodology, electromagnetic location remains a popular choice among uti

Music Fountain Control System Market Outlook

The global music fountain control system market size was valued at approximately USD 2.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 4.8 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% during the forecast period. This remarkable growth is driven by advancements in technology and increasing investments in urban beautification and entertainment infrastructure.

The primary growth factor for the music fountain control system market is the rapid urbanization and the growing trend of incorporating aesthetic and interactive elements in urban planning and development. Cities across the globe are increasingly investing in music fountain systems to enhance their public spaces, attract tourists, and promote cultural activities. These systems are not only visually captivating but also serve as landmarks and gathering spots for residents and visitors alike, thereby driving their demand.

Another significant factor contributing to the market’s growth is the advancements in control technologies and software. Modern music fountain control systems are equipped with sophisticated software that allows for intricate choreography of water, lights, and music. These systems can be synchronized with various multimedia elements, creating a comprehensive sensory experience. Additionally, the integration of IoT and AI technologies is enabling more efficient and flexible control of these fountains, further propelling market growth.

The increasing disposable incomes and changing lifestyles are also playing a crucial role in the expansion of the music fountain control system market. As people seek more recreational and leisure activities, the demand for entertainment venues equipped with music fountains is rising. This trend is particularly noticeable in emerging economies, where urban populations are growing and there is a strong push towards developing world-class recreational facilities.

From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market for music fountain control systems, driven by massive urban development projects in countries like China and India. North America and Europe are also expected to see substantial growth due to ongoing investments in public infrastructure and the presence of numerous entertainment venues. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are likely to witness moderate growth, supported by tourism and urbanization initiatives.

Component Analysis

The music fountain control system market is segmented by component into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment includes all physical components such as pumps, nozzles, and lights, which are essential for the operation of music fountains. This segment holds a significant share of the market due to the high cost and critical nature of these components. The continuous development of more durable and efficient hardware is a key trend in this segment, as it directly impacts the performance and longevity of the music fountains.

The software segment covers the control systems and applications that manage the synchronization of music, lights, and water jets. This segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate due to the increasing complexity and customization of music fountain shows. Advanced software solutions that offer real-time control and remote monitoring capabilities are in high demand. The integration of AI and machine learning algorithms is enabling more dynamic and responsive control systems, which is a significant factor driving this segment's growth.

The services segment includes installation, maintenance, and technical support services. As music fountains become more complex, the demand for professional services to ensure their proper installation and operation is rising. Regular maintenance services are crucial to keep the fountains in optimal condition and prevent any operational issues. Additionally, many companies offer customized design and consulting services to help clients create unique and captivating fountain shows.

Overall, the component segment is highly dynamic, with continuous innovations and advancements. Companies are investing heavily in R&D to develop more efficient and versatile components and software. This ongoing innovation is a critical factor that will drive the growth of the music fountain control system market in the coming years.

Report Scope

Civil Engineering Service Market Outlook

The global civil engineering service market size was valued at approximately USD 1.8 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 3.2 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The market's growth is driven by the increasing demand for infrastructure development, urbanization, and the need for sustainable construction practices. This upward trajectory can be attributed to several key factors, including technological advancements, government initiatives for infrastructural development, and the rising population leading to increased urbanization.

One of the primary growth factors for the civil engineering service market is the rapid pace of urbanization globally. With more people moving to cities, there is a heightened need for residential buildings, commercial spaces, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. Governments around the world are investing heavily in urban development to accommodate this influx, thereby driving demand for civil engineering services. Additionally, smart city initiatives in various countries are pushing the need for advanced and sustainable engineering solutions, further bolstering market growth.

Technological advancements in the field of civil engineering are another significant growth driver. Modern technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and drones for surveying and monitoring have revolutionized the way projects are planned, executed, and maintained. These technologies not only enhance efficiency and accuracy but also reduce costs and project timelines. Moreover, the integration of sustainable building practices and materials is becoming more prevalent, driven by both regulatory requirements and a growing emphasis on environmental stewardship.

Government initiatives and investments in infrastructure development play a substantial role in propelling the civil engineering service market. Many countries have launched significant infrastructure development programs to boost economic growth and improve the quality of life for their citizens. These initiatives often include the construction of highways, railways, airports, and public utilities, which require extensive civil engineering services. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are also becoming more common, allowing for shared investment and expertise in large-scale projects, further stimulating market expansion.

Regionally, the Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing market for civil engineering services, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and significant infrastructure development projects in countries like China and India. North America and Europe also hold substantial market shares due to ongoing investments in upgrading existing infrastructure and the adoption of advanced engineering technologies. In contrast, regions like Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are witnessing moderate growth, primarily fueled by emerging infrastructure needs and government-led initiatives.

Service Type Analysis

The civil engineering service market is segmented by service type into planning & design, construction, maintenance, and others. Each of these service types plays a crucial role in the lifecycle of a civil engineering project, from inception through completion and beyond. The planning & design segment involves the initial stages of a project, including feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and the creation of detailed architectural and engineering plans. This segment is critical as it sets the foundation for successful project execution and ensures that all aspects of the project are well-planned and documented.

The construction segment encompasses the actual building phase of a project, where the plans and designs are brought to life. This includes tasks such as site preparation, foundation work, structural construction, and the installation of essential systems like plumbing and electrical. Given the complexity and scale of many construction projects, this segment requires a high degree of coordination and expertise. It is often the most resource-intensive phase, involving significant manpower, machinery, and materials. The construction segment is expected to hold a substantial market share due to the continuous demand for new residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.

Maintenance services are essential for the longevity and performance of civil engineering projects. Once a project is completed and operational, it requires ongoing maintenance

Turkey experienced the highest annual change in house prices in 2024, followed by Bulgaria and Russia. In the fourth quarter of the year, the nominal house price in Turkey grew by **** percent, while in Bulgaria and Russia, the increase was ** and ** percent, respectively. Meanwhile, many countries saw prices fall throughout the year. That has to do with an overall cooling of the global housing market that started in 2022. When accounting for inflation, house price growth was slower, and even more countries saw the market shrink.

Lagos, in Nigeria, ranked as the most populated city in Africa as of 2024, with an estimated population of roughly nine million inhabitants living in the city proper. Kinshasa, in Congo, and Cairo, in Egypt, followed with some 7.8 million and 7.7 million dwellers. Among the 15 largest cities in the continent, another two, Kano, and Ibadan, were located in Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa. Population density trends in Africa As of 2022, Africa exhibited a population density of 48.3 individuals per square kilometer. At the beginning of 2000, the population density across the continent has experienced a consistent annual increment. Projections indicated that the average population residing within each square kilometer would rise to approximately 54 by the year 2027. Moreover, Mauritius stood out as the African nation with the most elevated population density, exceeding 640 individuals per square kilometre. Mauritius possesses one of the most compact territories on the continent, a factor that significantly influences its high population density. Urbanization dynamics in Africa The urbanization rate in Africa was anticipated to reach close to 44 percent in 2021. Urbanization across the continent has consistently risen since 2000, with urban areas accommodating 35 percent of the total population. This trajectory is projected to continue its ascent in the years ahead. Nevertheless, the distribution between rural and urban populations shows remarkable diversity throughout the continent. In 2021, Gabon and Libya stood out as Africa’s most urbanized nations, each surpassing 80 percent urbanization. In 2023, Africa's population was estimated to expand by 2.35 percent compared to the preceding year. Since 2000, the population growth rate across the continent has consistently exceeded 2.45 percent, reaching its pinnacle at 2.59 percent between 2012 and 2013. Although the growth rate has experienced a deceleration, Africa's population will persistently grow significantly in the forthcoming years.

Shenzhen is one of the fastest growing cities in China. Based on estimates, the population of Shenzhen is expected to reach over ** million by 2035. This rapidly growing city is attracting an increasing number of young Chinese, who want to start and grow their careers.

Development history of Shenzhen 

Shenzhen is located next to Hong Kong, one of the key financial and business centers of the world.  The city has a short history - Shenzhen wasn’t technically a city until 1979. Now, it is home to the largest economy in China’s Greater Bay Area, surpassing its neighbor Hong Kong. Shenzhen is also called China’s Silicon Valley, since many China’s tech-giants are headquartered there. As a rising financial center, Shenzhen also hosts one of the two Stock Exchanges in Mainland China. The headquarter of China’s leading insurance company Ping An Insurance is in Shenzhen as well.

Immigration to Shenzhen 

Enticed by its fast-developing economy, people from across the whole country have relocated to Shenzhen to take their chances at new job and life opportunities. In its 40-year development, countless migrant workers have contributed to this city’s construction projects and labor-intensive manufacturing production. Many young graduates have found it easier to find a job in Shenzhen compared to other first-tier cities. Promotion opportunities have attracted top talent in many sectors to come to this city. Accordingly, with the rise of population, the cost of housing in Shenzhen has also seen a drastic increase.

In 2022, ****** was home to the highest number of millionaires, followed by India’s capital New Delhi, and the IT capital - Bengaluru. This comes as no surprise since all three cities have the largest share of high net worth households along with a booming economic outlook. Overall, India had around *** billionaires as of March 2023, and ranked third globally in terms of its ultra-net-worth individuals. A growing wealth gap Despite this, India also has a very high wealth inequality with millions of people living below the poverty line. In fact, according to the last census, the state of Maharashtra (with Mumbai as its capital city) had the highest number of slums across the country with over *** million households. Furthermore, according to a 2015 study on the geography of the super-rich, Bangalore was ranked first in terms of the inequality between its rich and poor, with the wealth of the city’s billionaires being ******* times that of the average per capita GDP in the city. Mumbai came second in this listing, while Delhi was ranked fifth. It's a rich man's world As of 2018, the richest ** percent of Indians owned **** percent of the country’s wealth. The Indian economy was also seen to be one of the fastest growing economies across the world. This indicates the level of unequal distribution of wealth in the country. This is a matter of grave concern and has several implications in terms of the country’s development and progress.

This statistic shows the 25 largest counties in the United States in 2022, by population. In 2022, about 9.72 million people were estimated to be living in Los Angeles County, California.

Additional information on urbanization in the United States

Urbanization is defined as the process by which cities grow or by which societies become more urban. Rural to urban migration in the United States, and around the world, is often undertaken in the search for employment or to enjoy greater access to services such as healthcare. The largest cities in the United States are steadily growing. Given their size, incremental increases yield considerable numerical gains as seen by New York increasing by 69,777 people in 2011, the most of any city. However in terms of percentage growth, smaller cities outside the main centers are growing the fastest, such as Georgetown city and Leander city in Texas.

Urbanization has increased slowly in the United States, rising from 80.77 percent of the population living in urban areas in 2010 to 82.66 percent in 2020. In 2018, the United States ranked 14th in a ranking of countries based on their degree of urbanization. Unlike fully urbanized countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong, the United States maintains a sizeable agricultural industry. Although technological developments have reduced demands for rural labor, labor in the industry and supporting services are still required.

This statistic shows the degree of urbanization in Malaysia from 2014 to 2024. Urbanization means the share of urban population in the total population of a country. In 2024, 79.2 percent of Malaysia's total population lived in urban areas and cities. Urban areas in Malaysia Malaysia is currently one of the most urbanized countries of East Asia, and also one of the most rapidly urbanized regions around the world; over the last ten years, the urban population in Malaysia has increased from around 66 percent in 2004 to 74 percent in 2014. This growth is expected to continue, as people from rural areas migrate to urban areas due to the economy and employment continuing to shift from agriculture to industry and services. At present, the largest city in terms of population is Kuala Lumpur, which is home to around 1.31 million inhabitants - which is still relatively small, considering that the entire population of Malaysia amounts to around 31 million. Malaysia is also home to a number of smaller urban areas, and there are three other urban areas with more than 500,000 inhabitants. Urban areas in Malaysia, notably Kuala Lumpur, are less dense than is common for urban areas in East Asia. This means that dealing with and limiting sprawl will be a challenge. As the urban transformation continues, there is still a chance to find a balance between urban and rural settlements in an equitable, compact and sustainable manner.

In 2024, Bangladesh's capital Dhaka had a pollution index score of ****, the highest among megacities in the Asia-Pacific region. In contrast, Japan's capital Tokyo had a pollution index score of **** that year. Megacities on course for growth The United Nations defines megacities as cities with over ten million inhabitants. The population living in megacities has doubled in size in the last twenty years and is expected to rise even more until 2035. Today, the Asia-Pacific region is home to the highest number of megacities, with China and India alone accounting for around half of all megacities worldwide. At the same time, only half of the population in Asia is living in cities. This figure is also expected to rise exponentially over the next years, especially with much of the younger population migrating to larger cities. The growth of megacities and their higher population densities bring along several environmental problems. Exposure to pollution in India The most populated cities in APAC are located in Japan, China and India. As seen above, India's capital also falls among the top three most polluted megacities in the region and ranks second among the most polluted capital cities worldwide with an average PM2.5 concentration. As one of the fastest emerging economies in the world, India's rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to high pollution rates in different areas. The volume of emissions from coal-fired power plants has led to electricity and heat accounting for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in India. The country is also among the nations with the highest population share exposed to hazardous concentrations of air pollution worldwide.