Final answer:
The populations have grown differently in urban and rural regions around the world, with a higher proportion of urban populations in wealthier countries and slower growth in rural areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The growth of populations in urban and rural regions in the world varies based on factors such as economic development and income levels. In high-income countries like the United States, about 80% of the population lives in urban areas, while in poorer nations, the proportion of the population in urban areas is typically lower, around 30%.
This can be attributed to agglomeration factors and the challenges of managing the growth of cities in developing countries with growing economies.
In terms of global population distribution, urban areas have seen a significant increase, with the number of people living in urban environments quadrupling between 1960 and 2020, reaching 4 billion.
On the other hand, rural populations have grown more slowly from 1 billion in 1960 to 3.5 billion in 2020. The most urbanized regions are found in high-income countries, while lower-income countries still have a majority of their population living in rural areas.
Overall, there is a direct correlation between income and urbanization, with wealthier nations having higher urbanization rates. However, some regions, like parts of Africa, are experiencing population loss in rural areas due to factors like land overuse, violence, and climate change.
As economies continue to grow, managing the growth of cities will be a great challenge for these countries.