Source: United Nations Population Division.
Global urbanization and the emergence of large cities has been a significant process with far-reaching economic and social impacts:
- Urbanization involves a much higher concentration of the global population, which used to be more dispersed. Higher concentrations are easier to service from a market perspective but are also prone to congestion and diseconomies.
- Several mega-cities (8 to 10 million inhabitants) have emerged. These cities command a large share of global wealth creation and dominate their respective national economies. Many acts as global cities.
- Urban residents have different activities, lifestyles, and consumption levels than rural residents, particularly in developing countries.
Some large cities, or groups of large cities, have become urban regions.