Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Urbanization in Africa - Statistics & Facts
Although Africa's urbanization rate has been growing rapidly, the continent remains the least urbanized in the world, with only 45% of its population living in cities as of 2023. Alongside Asia, Africa is one of the two regions where urbanization falls short of the worldwide norm. However, this is set to change dramatically. By 2050, it is projected that Africa’s urban population will more than triple to reach 1.5 billion residents, while Asia will have around 3.48 billion. The continent's rapid urbanization is fueled by a mix of factors such as booming population growth, significant rural-to-urban migration, and economic transformations. Is the stage set for an urban revolution in Africa that promises the continent's people more developed social and economic opportunities?
