Urban growth

Urban growth means a city's population increases; its built-up area may expand too. Rio's estimated city population was 6.48 million in 2020, following substantial growth since the 1950s. A city population figure is different from one for the wider metropolitan area, which includes surrounding urban settlements.

Megacities in developed countries generally grow more slowly, and some may decline. Their urban growth occurred earlier, while movement out of crowded cities can limit further growth. The contrast between Tokyo and Delhi shows why a description of the global pattern needs to cover size, location and growth, rather than treating all megacities as alike.

Urban growth means an increase in the population of towns and cities. Their built-up areas may also expand. Urbanisation means an increase in the percentage of a country's population living in urban areas.