Final answer:
By 2050, an additional 2.5 billion people are expected to live in urban areas, with 90% of this growth occurring in Asia and Africa. The shift from rural to urban living continues to be driven by the search for better economic opportunities and rapid population growth in these regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continuing urbanization and population growth is projected to add 2.5 billion people to the urban population by 2050, with nearly 90% of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa. The world's urban population is expanding as more individuals move from rural to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities and living conditions. This surge is particularly strong in Asia and Africa, regions with rapidly developing economies and high rates of natural population growth.
Currently, the global population is nearing eight billion and is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. The biggest cities are now mainly found in the global south, and this trend of urbanization creates significant challenges, such as the need for sustainable development that avoids harming the natural environment. The growth of megacities in Africa, such as Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, signifies this ongoing urbanization trend.