The Growth of Core Urban Regions in Developing Countries

The highly disproportionate concentration of population and economic activity in the core urban regions of developing countries poses a serious demographic problem for Third World governments. This paper presents estimates of the rate of population redistribution to the metropolitan regions of 44 countries over the period 1950-80. The principal finding is that the core areas of most developing countries are still experiencing quite high--in some cases increasing--rates of net inmigration. Exceptions to this trend are noted. In particular the core areas of countries in which per capita income crossed the threshold of [4000 U.S. dollars] (1980 prices) during 1970-80 experienced significant declines in their rates of net inmigration over this period. The paper also explores other conditions that appear conducive to reducing migration to core urban regions. (summary in FRE SPA) (EXCERPT)