The future of Latin America will be forged in its cities. It is within the region’s urban areas that the push and pull of social, economic, and demographic forces will play out most intensely over the next few decades.
Introduction
This paper examines some of these forces. The world is urbanising, and Latin America is well ahead of the curve. Currently, 50% the world’s population lives in urban areas, with that proportion set to rise to 75% by 2050, the mid-point of the 21st Century. Latin America has long since passed that point. The urban population in the region is already 80% of the total, and is set to rise further.