does the majority of the world's population live in cities
Megacity
In 1800 , only 3 % of the world 's population lived in cities , a figure that rose to 47 % by the end of the twentieth century . In 1950 , there were 83 cities with populations exceeding one million ; by 2007 , this number had risen to 468 . The UN forecasts that today 's urban population of 3.2 billion will rise to nearly 5 billion by 2030 , when three out of five people will live in cities . This increase will be most dramatic on the least - urbanized continents , Asia and Africa . Surveys and projections indicate that all urban growth over the next 25 years will be in developing countries . One billion people , almost one - seventh of the world 's population , now live in shanty towns . In many poor countries overpopulated slums exhibit high rates of disease due to unsanitary conditions , malnutrition , and lack of basic health care . By 2030 , over 2 billion people in the world will be living in slums . Over 90 % of the urban population of Ethiopia , Malawi and Uganda , three of the world 's most rural countries , already live in slums . 
In 1800 , only 3 % of the world 's population lived in cities , a figure that rose to 47 % by the end of the twentieth century . In 1950 , there were 83 cities with populations exceeding one million ; by 2007 , this number had risen to 468 . The UN forecasts that today 's urban population of 3.2 billion will rise to nearly 5 billion by 2030 , when three out of five people will live in cities . This increase will be most dramatic on the least - urbanized continents , Asia and Africa . Surveys and projections indicate that all urban growth over the next 25 years will be in developing countries . One billion people , almost one - seventh of the world 's population , now live in shanty towns . In many poor countries overpopulated slums exhibit high rates of disease due to unsanitary conditions , malnutrition , and lack of basic health care . By 2030 , over 2 billion people in the world will be living in slums . Over 90 % of the urban population of Ethiopia , Malawi and Uganda , three of the world 's most rural countries , already live in slums .
In 1800 , only 3 % of the world 's population lived in cities , a figure that rose to 47 % by the end of the twentieth century . The UN forecasts that today 's urban population of 3.2 billion will rise to nearly 5 billion by 2030 , when three out of five people will live in cities .
In 1800 , only 3 % of the world 's population lived in cities , a figure that rose to 47 % by the end of the twentieth century . The UN forecasts that today 's urban population of 3.2 billion will rise to nearly 5 billion by 2030 , when three out of five people will live in cities .