Final answer:
The claim that less than half of the global population lives in urban areas is false. Currently, more than 50% of the world's population is urbanized, with the most urbanized regions being in high-income countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that less than half of the global population has an urban way of life is false. According to recent information, over 50% of the world's population currently lives in urban areas, a significant increase from 40% in 1989 and a mere 20% in 1900. The rise in urban population is particularly noticeable in high-income countries such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, where approximately 80% of people reside in urban environments.
This trend towards urbanization, however, varies by region. For instance, while the urbanization rate is high in developed countries, in many lower-income countries, especially in parts of Africa, urban populations make up about 30% of the total. Despite differences in regional urbanization rates, the global average clearly indicates that more than half the population leads an urban way of life.