Demographic aspects of urbanization in Africa: A re-assessment of recent patterns

Abstract

In recent years, urban growth has been one of the major challenges in Africa. The increasing size and unwieldiness of towns and cities are a result of an on-going rapid urbanisation. The process of this rapid urbanisation in Africa is driven by the pursuit of employment and a better standard of living, which is rarely offered or available in rural areas (Okeke, 2014). Urbanisation brings about better services and livelihoods to millions, but poverty remains high in the rural and urban areas of Africa. Urbanisation is defined as an increase in the percentage of people living in towns and cities, which takes place as people move from rural to urban areas for better living standards. Urbanisation increases as a result of the extent and density of the cities.