UPSC Prelims 2010 Q68: Geography – Population & Demography
As per the UN - Habitat's Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, which one among the
following regions has shown the fastest growth rate of urbanization in the last three decades?
- (a) Asia
- (b) Europe
- (c) Latin America and Caribbean
- (d) North America
Answer: (a) Asia
Explanation
Fastest-urbanizing region per UN-Habitat's 2009 report
The UN-Habitat Global Report on Human Settlements, 2009 tracked urbanization trends across world regions.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Asia | Correct | Asia showed the fastest urbanization growth rate over the preceding three decades, driven by rapid economic development in countries like China and India |
| (b) Europe | Incorrect | Europe was already highly urbanized, with a much slower growth rate in this period |
| (c) Latin America and Caribbean | Incorrect | Already substantially urbanized earlier, with a slower pace of further urbanization by this period |
| (d) North America | Incorrect | Also already highly urbanized, with limited additional urbanization growth |
Urbanization growth trends:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fastest-growing region | Asia |
| Already highly urbanized regions | Europe, North America, Latin America |
| Driver | Rapid economic growth and rural-urban migration |
Answer: (a) Asia.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Asia recorded the fastest urbanization growth rate over the previous three decades, per the UN-Habitat report.
- (b) Incorrect. Europe was already highly urbanized, with a much slower additional growth rate.
- (c) Incorrect. Latin America and the Caribbean had already urbanized substantially earlier, slowing its growth pace.
- (d) Incorrect. North America was also already highly urbanized, with limited further urbanization growth.
Key point
Asia recorded the fastest urbanization growth rate over the three decades preceding the 2009 UN-Habitat report, driven by rapid economic growth and rural-to-urban migration in countries like China and India.
Remember
UN-Habitat 2009: Asia showed the fastest urbanization growth rate over the preceding three decades.
Common mistakes
- Assuming already highly urbanized regions (Europe, North America) would also show the fastest growth RATE.
- Confusing absolute urbanization level with the growth rate of urbanization.
- Not connecting rapid Asian economic development to its urbanization boom.
Exam tip
'Fastest-growing' ≠ 'most urbanized already'. Asia's rapid growth rate, not its absolute urbanization level, is the key fact here.
Sources
- United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) — Planning Sustainable Cities: Global Report on Human Settlements 2009
- Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India — Census of India 2011: Provisional Population Totals, Urban Agglomerations and Cities