Full Citation
Title: Urban Migration in East and West Africa since 1950: Contrasts and Transformation
Citation Type: Book, Section
Publication Year: 2022
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DOI: 10.4324/9781003225027-18
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Abstract: Sub-Saharan Africa is the least urbanized region in the world. Yet, home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, Africa has recorded faster urban growth than any other world region since 1960. Its urban population has been growing at an average annual rate of 4%–5% since 1960, at much lower income levels than Asia or Latin America. The United Nations forecasted that Africa’s urban population is likely to nearly triple between 2018 and 2050. Cities are viewed as important engines of African economic growth, generating a much larger share of countries’ GDP than their share of the population (McKinsey 2011; UN-Habitat 2016a). Cities are thus attractive to those in search for economic opportunity. Cities not only ofer higher wages than rural areas, but urban housing, schools, and health facilities also tend to be superior. Such perspectives of urban privilege, upward social mobility, and opportunity remain dominant motivations for rural-urban migration in Africa.
Url: https://edepot.wur.nl/582541
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Authors: Selhausen, Felix Meier zu
Editors: De Hass, Ewout, Michiel; Frankema
Pages: 281-307
Volume Title: Migration in Africa: Shifting Patterns of Mobility from the 19th to the 21st Century
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Data Collections: IPUMS International
Topics: Population Mobility and Spatial Demography
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