Final answer:
The slow rate of urban growth in higher income countries can be attributed to the slowness of convergence and the presence of agglomeration factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several reasons for the slow rate of urban growth in many higher income countries (HICs). One reason is the phenomenon known as the slowness of convergence. This refers to the fact that small differences in annual rates of economic growth become huge differences over time. HICs have been building up their advantage in standard of living over decades, making it difficult for low-income countries to catch up significantly.
Another reason is the presence of agglomeration factors. As an economy develops, there is an increasing proportion of its population that lives in urban areas. However, in poorer nations of the world, the proportion of the population in urban areas is lower. This can be attributed to challenges in managing the growth of cities as their economies grow.