METRICS
More Life in the City
As the world continues to urbanize, projects to ease the
strains of city life are multiplying.
By Kelsey O’Connor
CROWDING IN
3. 9 billion
World’s urban population in 2015
1. Batam, Indonesia
2. Mogadishu, Somalia
3. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
4. Xiamen, China
5. Yinchuan, China
*With a population of 1 million or more
57% Asia
12.8% North America
11.1% Africa
10.2% Europe
8.2% South America
0.7% Australia and Oceania
1.8% Annual urban population growth rate from 2015-2020
Proportion of the world’s population living in urban areas:
2015
0
20
40
60
2030 2050
54% 60% 66%
Where in the world are urbanites? Fastest-growing
cities*:
