Do Most People in Latin America Live in Urban Areas
Latin America is world-renowned for its population growth over the years. Mexican, the Caribbean, Central, North, and South American are here usually represented in larger numbers. They are established colonies of the Spanish and Portuguese. And, according to the United Nations and World Bank, 80% of the population of Latin America resides in urban areas. Latin America came second in the pace of urbanization, all is happening cause over the decades people are migrating from rural and countryside to the cities for better life settlements.
The quick migration has shocked cities as they are not prepared for more population. Migrants, more than 150 million people, are living in slums. The infrastructure for this big number is weak, housing facilities, and other developments are not equally sparsed. Although people have migrated but, commercial development, low carbon density, and urban sprawl have created more difficulties in life people.
Most cities are fully packed with new visitors who don’t have infrastructure and housing development, but a hope to begin life. People are migrating from rural areas cause they know, nothing is there in the woods, in fishing, or in cattle farming. They want more and more, and for that, more housing facilities are needed. A dataset depicts more than 1 million people are living in 55 cities of Latin America. So, yes most people in Latin America live in urban areas.
Why Do Most Latin American Live in Urban Areas?
Urban trends are normal in every country. But Latin America has some differences; people here migrate to find good opportunities and living conditions, without knowing whether they will get a house to live in or not, as housing infrastructure is weak and the financial gap increases. So, below are the reasons that most Latin Americans live in urban areas:
Financial Prospects:
Cities like São Paulo, Brazil, with 22 million population have high-level jobs in different fields with the highest pay. Categories of these jobs lies in banking, finance, tech startups, manufacturing, aviation, advertising, and major sectors.
Availability:
Over time, people start realising better, less pay and easier access to healthcare services, education, markets, and other services in cities.
Marshalling Resources:
From the very beginning, urban areas have been the hub of politics, economic reform, educational technologies, and cultural activities. In fact, more amenities like electric supplies, water supplies, and transportation are concentrated in Latin America. Later, we shall study the division of these resources.
Industrialization:
The shift from agriculture to machine and man manufacturing products has increased rapidly in Latin America, especially in megacities. Brazil is the economic engine of Latin America, famed for the manufacturing of aviation parts, the automobile industry, food, pharmaceuticals, textile industry, and etc. This has created many job opportunities and a center of economic growth.
Urbanization in Latin America Over Time
The United Nations and World Bank state that Latin America is the leading urbanized region of the world. This creates economic wealth and educational support for Latin America. Also, a topic to think about is the increasing injustice, crime, and inequality in these megacities due to more migrants from different rural and countryside locations.
So let's understand the growth of urbanization in Latin America over time through key points and a graph:
1950s–1970s: The Beginning of Urbanization:
Only 40% of Latin Americans reside in cities, and the rest are rural farmers involved in agricultural activities. But after the implementation and promotion of industrialization by internal groups, cities like Sao Paulo,Mexico and Buenos Aires become hub of factories and trade. Resultant, people rapidly migrate to seek jobs and other essential services. Slum areas begin due to unplanned urban expansion.
1980s–2000s: Expeditious Growth and Dominance
Urban population increases by 70%, by 1990, dwellers outnumber rural civilians, and open markets. New infrastructure and economically beneficial services started. Metros, highways, housing, and new urban planning for living conditions are implemented. But urban poor also increases.
2000s–2024: Urban Dominance with New Strategies
Today 80% People live in Latin America. Still migrating to the healthcare sector, jobs, education, etc. Now with technology and literate people, smart strategies are being built.
How Is Urbanization Impacting Rural Areas
If development, manufacturing, and implementation for technical purposes are imposed, then it's quite natural the call for destruction. Civilian shares their necessity in cities, move to Mexico, Sao etc place in search of growth and jobs. But what they left behind is their home, aged people, natural environment, and peace. As urbanization occurs, rural areas fall behind and are seen as poor with no or less facilities available. Watch the impact of urbanization on rural areas:
Elders and the aging populous:
The young generation runs towards cities in search of services. Left behind aged group alone, and farming labour is reduced.
Agriculture Loss:
Labourers are reduced in farming, and many people have to hire workers at high wages. Less agribusiness leads to an increase production of imported food instead of natural food.
Uneven Development:
The government invests more in urban areas, including new technology, internet access, even roads, health facilities, education, and more, all set in cities. This creates a gap between urban and rural faces.
Depletion of Tradition:
Rural people stay with their traditions, culture, and customs, while cities introduce many new customs and are disconnected from their own relations.
So yes, 80% civilians move to urban cities over time for jobs, new opportunities, and facilities. Rural areas abandon themselves, sacrificing for the need of tomorrow. Urbanization is important for development and growth, but one should think of an even development for all.
Read another historical urbanization in the Philippines.