Social and economic indicators of development influence population growth including birth rates and death rates whilst physical and human factors affect population distribution in a country.
According to the United Nations more than half of the world's population now live in urban areas (cities). This number is expected to increase to 60 per cent in 2030.
Urbanisation rates are increasing faster in developing countries as people move from rural to urban areas.
In general, people all over the world are moving from rural areas to urban areas, and cities are continuing to grow.
In developing countries more people still live in rural areas, as there are large numbers of people working in primary industries such as farming, whereas in developed countries most people are employed in service industries, eg offices and provide services in urban areas.