The past few decades have seen a tremendous amount of economic progress over the world, with millions being lifted out of poverty. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the people at the lowest ends of the social strata are often left behind, with many of them continuing to live in slums with all things having been considered and taken into account. This just goes to show that progress does not help everyone equally.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 64% of people living in cities that are located within low income countries still live in slums. If we look solely are lower middle income countries, the proportion is still a concerningly high 44% as of 2020. Some countries actually saw in increase in the number of people living in urban slums, with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s slum population increasing by 6 points to reach 78%.
Afghanistan performed even worse with a 9 point increase, bringing its total urban slum population to around 73%. Over in Myanmar, the biggest increase of all was seen, with a 25 point uptick bringing the population living in urban slums to 58.
Urban slums are dangerous because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up providing very low standards of living to its inhabitants. Some countries have actually seen some positive momentum in this regard, such as Pakistan which decreased its urban slum population by 14 points since 2002 bringing the total to 56%.
Nigeria saw an even bigger reduction, with a whopping 23 point increase taking the majority of its urban population out of the slums, although 49% are still living in these dire surroundings. India, a rapidly emerging superpower, saw just 6 points decrease in the same period, with 49% of its massive population in urban centers continuing to deal with slum living. The slow progress in this matter is a sign that the world is not becoming as equitable as some may have hoped.
H/T: Statista
Read next: Here Are the Most Popular Undergrad Degrees in the US
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 64% of people living in cities that are located within low income countries still live in slums. If we look solely are lower middle income countries, the proportion is still a concerningly high 44% as of 2020. Some countries actually saw in increase in the number of people living in urban slums, with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s slum population increasing by 6 points to reach 78%.
Afghanistan performed even worse with a 9 point increase, bringing its total urban slum population to around 73%. Over in Myanmar, the biggest increase of all was seen, with a 25 point uptick bringing the population living in urban slums to 58.
Urban slums are dangerous because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up providing very low standards of living to its inhabitants. Some countries have actually seen some positive momentum in this regard, such as Pakistan which decreased its urban slum population by 14 points since 2002 bringing the total to 56%.
Nigeria saw an even bigger reduction, with a whopping 23 point increase taking the majority of its urban population out of the slums, although 49% are still living in these dire surroundings. India, a rapidly emerging superpower, saw just 6 points decrease in the same period, with 49% of its massive population in urban centers continuing to deal with slum living. The slow progress in this matter is a sign that the world is not becoming as equitable as some may have hoped.
H/T: Statista
Read next: Here Are the Most Popular Undergrad Degrees in the US
