Final answer:
The question discusses population distribution and urbanization, especially in peripheral and semi-peripheral countries, where most global population growth is expected. Urbanization levels correlate with income, and developing countries face challenges including sustainable development. The migration from rural to urban areas often leads to a brain drain in peripheral regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the trends in population distribution and growth, with a particular focus on urbanization in what are sometimes referred to as second and third world countries, or more formally, peripheral and semi-peripheral countries.
These countries are usually low to lower-middle income and traditionally more rural. However, the trend is shifting towards greater urbanization. The population of urban areas has quadrupled from 1960 to 2020, indicating a significant migration of people from rural to urban centers, and this migration is most pronounced in developing regions.
Urbanization correlates directly with income levels; wealthier nations typically have a higher percentage of their population living in urban areas. For example, in North America, about 80% of the population resides in urban areas, in contrast to regions in Africa with only about 30% urbanization.
The growth of urban populations presents challenges for developing nations, including sustainable development and managing the expansion of major cities.
Furthermore, demographers project most of the global population growth will occur in less economically developed countries in Africa and Asia. High fertility rates contribute to this trend, along with the migration of young and educated individuals from peripheral areas seeking better opportunities in urban centers—a phenomenon known as brain drain.
Consequently, managing population growth, especially within urban environments, will be a significant challenge for peripheral and semi-peripheral countries.