United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs · 2019 · demographic modeling and projection report · n=?

World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision

Cited 2736 times in the scientific literature.

Level 4 - case-series / case-control

Level 4 by design analogy (global demographic modeling and projection report, non-clinical)

OpenAlex W3043693520 · doi:10.18356/b9e995fe-en · record verified 2026-08-26

What was done

The report compiled global demographic estimates for urban and rural populations from 1950 to 2018 with projections through 2050. It also generated historical population estimates (1950–2018) and future projections to 2030 for all urban agglomerations that had at least 300,000 inhabitants in 2018.

What was found

The global urban population reached an all-time high by 2018. Urban residents are projected to comprise two-thirds of the world's total population by 2050. Specific raw population totals, growth rates, and regional breakdowns were not reported in the abstract.

Why it matters

It establishes standardized global benchmarks for the pace of worldwide urbanization to guide infrastructure, economic, and sustainable development planning.

Limits

The abstract provides no exact population counts, confidence intervals, or regional granularity. As a long-term projection exercise extending to 2050, results are sensitive to assumptions regarding future fertility, mortality, migration, and country-specific definitions of urban boundaries.

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