Determinants of Urban Growth in Sub Saharan Africa Developing Countries in the 21st century

Yıl 2020, Cilt: 6 Sayı: 4, 1 - 12, 23.12.2020

Ali Kabasakal Nadege Clemence Sourou Yabo Agossou

Öz

Debates over the relationship between development and urbanization have gained ground over the last decades and lead to controversial results, especially in developing nations. In this perspective, this study investigates the role of some variables (economic, demographic, political) in the process of urbanization in the 21st century in selected Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Data from the World Development Indicators and some specialized institutions related to 29 SSA countries from 2008 to 2015 are employed to test the hypothesis that demographical and political factors are the main drivers of urban growth in less developed countries. We assumed that economic variables are insignificant in the explanation of urbanization in the area. Results from panel data analysis using Pooled Ordinary Least Squares regressions are used to test the hypothesized relationships. We found that fertility, Human Development Index, and government policies have accelerated the pace of urbanization, which later seems to have been ultimately brought to rest due to increased unemployment trends. There is evidence that many Africans have left the cities in Africa discouraged by higher levels of unemployment.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Determinants of Urban Growth, Sub Saharan Africa, Panel Data

Kaynakça

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