New estimates of the world urban and rural population by age and sex, 1950-2005

Jorge H Bravo, United Nations
Giacomo Sbrana, United Nations

The paper presents new estimates of the urban and rural population by age and sex (1950-2005), and examines the main results for the world, for major geographical regions and development groups. We discuss the estimation method, along with an evaluation of the two most important assumptions upon which it is based. These new data, disaggregated by age and sex, provides greater detail than previously available and allows for better understanding of the demographic dynamics in urban and rural areas across countries and regions of the world. The paper presents key features of international differences and trends of the urban and rural population in the different regions of the world, including the extent of the aging in urban and rural areas.