Question

Describe the rural-urban composition of population.

Answer 1

Hint:
Composition refers to the contents of something which can be measured in exact values or in ratios, for future analysis. The rural-urban composition is different in case of developed and developing countries.

Complete answer:
There is a significant difference in the geographical distribution of the population in urban and rural areas.
In agricultural countries, the percentage of the rural population is higher, since it is the rural population that takes part actively in farm-based work. Countries with more industrial and developed areas have a higher percentage of the urban population.
The rural-urban composition is different in case of developed and developing countries.
1. In rural areas of developed countries, the number of males is more than the number of females. It is because the primary sectors are male-dominated in those countries.
2. Females are more in number in the urban areas of the developed countries. This is because the females migrate to urban areas for job opportunities, and the males are engaged in farming activities which are highly mechanized.
3. It is the opposite in the case of a developing country. In rural areas of developing countries females are more in number than males. This is because they play an important role in the primary sector.
4. Females are less in number in the urban areas of developing countries. This is because the migration of males to urban areas is more than females. This is due to the fact that females in rural areas believe that it is less safe for them to be in urban areas.

Note:
1. Some of the most urbanized parts of the world are North America, temperate South America, Europe, Australia etc. They have more than 75% of the urban population.
2. The least urbanized places are in Africa and Asia, where urbanization has recently begun. These places have less than 33% of the urban population.