Asia, Africa to absorb 86 percent of urban growth

Asia, Africa to absorb 86 percent of urban growth

The world's urban population is expected to increase by 2.6 billion
between 2010 and 2050, with 86 percent of that growth occurring in
Asia and Africa, according to a new U.N. report.

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Jomo
Sundaram said Thursday that over the same period, the world's
population is expected to grow by 2.3 billion, meaning cities will
also have to absorb some 300 million people migrating from rural
areas.

The largest urban population increases are expected to occur in India,
China, Nigeria, the United States and Indonesia.

Sundaram said this expansion will require "very significant economic
growth" to deal with the burgeoning urban population.