Policies on Spatial Distribution and United Nations Urbanization Data Booklet Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization The spatial distribution of the population and urbanization are closely linked to developmental challenges and opportunities. More than half of the world’s population already resides in urban areas, while the remaining rural population increasingly depends on urban centres for social and economic progress. Policies to improve living conditions of people in both rural and urban areas and to promote sustainable urbanization are relevant for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and for the new framework for urban development adopted during the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in October 2016 in Quito, Ecuador. This data booklet presents selected government policies, strategies and measures to influence the spatial distribution of the population and to promote rural development and sustainable urbanization for 197 countries. Data are drawn primarily from the World Population Policies Database: The 2015 Revision. Suggested citation: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2016). Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization: Data Booklet (ST/ESA/ SER.A/394). Cover photo: Copyright © UN Photo/Ari Gaitanis Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization 3 Percentage of population living in urban areas 2015 The proportion of the population residing in urban areas is rising in all regions of the world, but the rate of urban growth is much higher in Africa and Asia, where 85 per cent of the global increase in the urban population between 2015 and 2030 2030 is projected to occur. During this period, the number of urban agglomerations with population of five million or more is projected to increase from 73 to 104. Of the additional 31 new urban agglomerations in this category, 26 will be in Africa and Asia. The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. Chagos Archipelago/Diego Garcia - Appears without prejudice to the question of sovereignty. A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Final boundary between the Republic of the Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. Final status of the Abyei area is not yet determined. Data source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2014). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2014 Revision, CD-ROM Edition. 4 Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization Governments with policies or strategies in the past five years to encourage population redistribution, 2015 100 100 87 Governments in less 80 78 80 developed regions 72 72 72 70 were more likely than those in more 60 51 48 developed regions to 47 46 39 have adopted policies 40 34 or strategies in the Percentage of countries of Percentage past five years to 20 17 influence the spatial 14 7 distribution of the 0 0 population in their World Less More Africa Asia Europe Latin Northern Oceania developeddeveloped America America countries. regions regions and the Caribbean Reduce rural to urban migration Decentralize large urban centres to smaller urban, suburban or rural areas Data source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2016). World Population Policies Database: The 2015 Revision. Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization 5 Governments with policies to reduce migration from rural areas to urban areas in the past five years, 2015 In recent years, countries experiencing higher urban growth rates, which are mostly in lower income groups, were more likely to have policies to reduce migration from rural areas to urban areas. Adopted policies to reduce migration from rural areas to urban areas: Yes No Bubble size is proportional to urban population 2014 Data sources: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2016). World Population Policies Database: The 2015 Revision; United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2014). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2014 Revision, CD-ROM Edition; World Bank (2015). World Development Indicators 2015. Washington, DC: World Bank. 6 Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization Governments with policy measures to promote rural development in the past five years, 2015 81 World 98 75 Despite increasing 91 levels of urbanization, More developed regions 93 74 71 measures to promote Less developed regions 100 rural development were 77 adopted by a large 77 Africa 100 72 majority of 86 Asia 100 79 Governments in all 90 Europe 93 79 regions of the world. 69 Latin America and the Caribbean 100 Policies to develop 77 Northern America 100 100 rural infrastructure 71 Oceania 100 58 and facilities remained 0 20 40 60 80 100 nearly universal. Percentage of countries Incentives to establish or retain industries in rural areas Policies to develop rural infrastructure and facilities Measures taken to promote rural development strategies to decrease push factors on urbanization* * Refers to five years preceding 2012 Data sources: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2016). World Population Policies Database: The 2015 Revision; United Nations Population Fund (2012). The ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Survey Database. Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization 7 Governments with policy measures to increase energy efficiency in transport and housing in the past five years, 2015 High-income countries, where per capita CO2 emissions tend to be higher, were more likely to have adopted policy measures to increase energy efficiency in the transport and housing sectors in recent years. Many middle-income countries, but only a Adopted policies to increase energy efficiency in transport and housing: few low-income Yes No Bubble size is proportional to urban population 2013 countries, had adopted such policy measures. Data sources: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2016). World Population Policies Database: The 2015 Revision; International Energy Agency (2015). CO2 Emissions From Fuel Combustion Highlights (2015 Edition). Summary table “CO2 emissions by sector in 2013”; World Bank (2015). World Development Indicators. Washington, DC: World Bank. 8 Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization Governments with policy measures to improve living conditions of the urban poor in the past five years, 2015 100 96 96 100 97 99 97 99 97 99 99 In recent years, 97 94 100 87 85 89 88 Governments in less 88 80 80 82 91 80 79 79 developed regions 75 67 were more likely to 60 64 60 have adopted policies 51 50 to improve access to 40 40 39 41 water and sanitation Percentage of countries of Percentage 20 20 and to secure land population urban of Percentage 0 tenure and adequate 0 0 housing for the urban Less More Africa Asia Europe Latin Northern Oceania developed developed America America poor than in more regions regions and the Caribbean developed regions, Policies to secure access to water and sanitation for urban poor where access to such Policies to secure land tenure and adequate housing for urban poor services was already Percentage of urban population with access to improved sanitation facilities Percentage of urban population with access to improved water source widespread. Data sources: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2016). World Population Policies Database: The 2015 Revision; World Health Organization/United Nations Children’s Fund (2015). Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation. Data and Estimates. Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization 9 Measures taken by Governments to ensure land, housing, services and livelihood of the urban poor in the past five years in less developed regions, 2012 In less developed regions, concrete measures to improve living conditions of the urban poor were particularly lacking in countries with higher proportion of slum dwellers and faster pace of urbanization. Measures taken to ensure land, housing, services and livelihood of urban poor : Yes No Bubble size is proportional to urban population 2014 Data sources: United Nations Population Fund (2012). ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Survey Database; United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2014). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2014 Revision, CD-ROM Edition; United Nations (2015). Millennium Development Goals Indicators. 10 Policies on Spatial Distribution and Urbanization Table 1 Government policies, strategies and measures taken in the past five years to influence the spatial distribution of the population, promote rural development, and improve living conditions and sustainability of large urban centres Spatial distribution of population Rural development Living conditions and sustainability of large urban centres More Provide Relocate Promote stringent Secure Ensure Reduce Decentralize incentives industries rural Increase environmental Secure land land, migration large urban to from development energy regulations