Urbanisation and the rise of the megacity

Urbanisation is happening faster today than at any time in history. By 2030 nearly 9% of the global population will live in so-called megacities—cities with more than 10m inhabitants. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7 In 1950 New York and Tokyo were the only so called megacities; cities with more than 10m inhabitants. By 1980 these were joined by Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Osaka. In 2010 there were over 20 megacities spanning almost every continent. Today, there are 32 megacities. Urbanisation is happening faster than at any time in human history. Asia accounts for over half of today s megacities. By 2030 nearly 9% of the world s population will live in 41 megacities. But it s in Africa where some of the most rapid urbanisation will take place in the future. Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films throughout the working week. For more from Economist Films visit: http://films.economist.com/ Check out The Economist’s full video catalogue: http://econ.st/20IehQk Like The Economist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEconomist/ Follow The Economist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theeconomist Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeconomist/ Follow us on LINE: http://econ.st/1WXkOo6 Follow us on Medium: https://medium.com/@the_economist