What factors drive urban growth in LICs?

Urban growth in LICs is driven by rural-to-urban migration, natural population increase, and economic opportunities.

Rural-to-urban migration is a significant factor in urban growth in Low-Income Countries (LICs). Many people move from rural areas to cities in search of better job opportunities, education, and healthcare. In rural areas, jobs are often limited to agriculture, which can be unstable and poorly paid. Cities, on the other hand, offer a variety of employment options in industries, services, and informal sectors. This migration is often driven by the hope for a better quality of life and improved living standards.

Natural population increase also contributes to urban growth. LICs often have high birth rates and lower death rates due to improvements in healthcare and living conditions. As a result, the population in cities grows not just from migration but also from the natural increase in the number of people. This means that even without migration, cities in LICs would still experience growth due to the high number of births.

Economic opportunities in urban areas attract people from rural regions. Cities in LICs often become hubs for trade, industry, and services, providing more diverse and higher-paying job opportunities compared to rural areas. The concentration of businesses and industries in urban areas creates a demand for labour, which draws people to cities. Additionally, urban areas often have better infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and internet access, which can further stimulate economic activities and attract more people.

In summary, the main drivers of urban growth in LICs are the movement of people from rural to urban areas in search of better opportunities, the natural increase in population, and the concentration of economic activities in cities. These factors combine to create rapidly growing urban populations in many LICs.