4 out of every 5 people in the world now live in cities : United Nations report

• Technology and the promise of better living draw people to cities, while villages fall into decline

• Rising urbanisation poses serious risks to public health

New York (USA) – The United Nations has released its latest Global Urbanisation Prospects 2025 report, raising serious concerns over the rapid pace at which the world is urbanising. According to the report, 4 out of every 5 people across the globe now live in cities. In other words, more than 80 per cent of the world’s population is now urban – a dramatic rise from 55 per cent just eight years ago. Rural landscapes that were once the cradle of human civilisation are steadily disappearing.

The report states that the shift is not merely a geographic change but a major transformation influencing social structures, economic realities, and public health.

Key findings of the report

• Nearly 80 per cent of the global population now resides in cities.
• Of this total, 45 per cent live in fully urban areas, while 36 per cent live in semi-urban zones.
• The report has been compiled through research led by Patrick Gerland and a team of global demographers.
• By 2050, the proportion of people living in urban areas is projected to rise to 83 per cent.
• East and South Asia, particularly India, are witnessing rapid migration from villages to cities driven by the search for better education, employment and improved social opportunities.
• Increasing urbanisation has serious effects on health

Urbanisation is reshaping not only population distribution but also public health trends

According to Andrea Mecheli of King’s College London, escalating air pollution and rising urban temperatures are causing a surge in health issues. These include a higher risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic conditions. Mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression are also rising sharply as densely populated cities place increasing stress on individuals.