The World’s Cities in 2016

By 2030, urban areas are projected to house 60% of the global population, with one in three people living in cities of at least half a million inhabitants. This significant shift underscores the urgency for sustainable urban development strategies, particularly as outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and discussions during the Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador (2016). The publication leverages population estimates and projections from World Urbanization Prospects: The 2014 Revision to analyze current and future urbanization trends worldwide. These insights are critical for policymakers aiming to address challenges posed by rapid urban growth, such as infrastructure demands, environmental sustainability, and equitable resource distribution.

The World’s Cities in 2016. (2016). In (Editor), Statistical Papers - United Nations (Ser. A), Population and Vital Statistics Report. UN. https://doi.org/10.18356/8519891f-en