The rural population is the group of people who live in the fields, far from the metropolises. The urban population is one that lives in large cities.
Many times, people who live in cities have moved from rural areas in search of opportunities for work, study or leisure activities.
For this reason the population density is higher in urban areas and spaces more reduced compared to rural areas.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico, a population is rural when it has less than 2,500 inhabitants, and it is considered urban when it is made up of more than 2,500 people.
| Rural population | Urban population | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Set of people who live in the field. | Set of people who live in industrialized cities. |
| Dimension | Low population density (the number varies depending on the country). | High density (can reach several million inhabitants). |
| Economic activity | Mainly from the primary sector (agriculture, livestock and other forms of raw material production). | Secondary and tertiary sectors (industry, commerce and services). |
| living place | Horizontal (spacious houses). | Vertical (buildings). |
| Transport | Initially animal traction. Currently it also has motor vehicles, to a lesser extent compared to urban areas. | Motor vehicles. |
| Advantage |
|
|
| Disadvantages |
|
|
| Examples | The Maasai are rural populations found in Kenya and Tanzania, where they live as herdsmen. | Tokyo, in Japan, has the largest urban population in the world with almost 35 million inhabitants. |
Index
What is rural population?
They are smaller populations than urban ones, they live in areas far from the big cities. The geographical spaces where they are found are usually quite large, generally they are fields .
The rural population is usually dedicated to the production of raw materials , such as agriculture, livestock and fishing. Therefore, they make a fundamental contribution to the agricultural production of a country, guaranteeing food for the entire population.
Because the rural population has fewer economic and technological resources than urban populations, there is higher unemployment and a decline in services.
The conditions of medical and care, educational and communication services are precarious. Generally, this is what causes population migration to urban areas.
The growth of urban centers since the 15th century has caused rural populations to lose power and importance, leaving many rural areas abandoned.
Characteristics of the rural population
- They generally lead a more relaxed pace of life.
- Their cost of living is low.
- Normally it is dedicated to the economic activity of the primary sector.
- The nature that surrounds it does not suffer great damage.
- They do not have a variety of job and study offers.
- The economic and technological resources at your disposal are scarce.
Examples of rural populations
- Gavidia, Venezuela.
- Guaitecas, Chile
- Pernambuco Brazil.
- Mancomunados towns of Oaxaca, Mexico.
- Rio Negro, Argentina.
You may be interested in seeing rural and urban areas .
What is urban population?
It is the one that is made up of a greater number of people compared to those who live in rural areas. This population is found in cities and large towns.
The area where the urban population operates is characterized by greater economic, technological, educational and professional development.
Access to the most advanced science and technology translates into a greater opportunity for education and employment in economic activities in the secondary and tertiary sector.
The urban population has a better infrastructure in all aspects, it is surrounded by a large-scale industrialization , producing all kinds of products and services. Although this also entails problems such as the strong pollution produced by numerous factories, transport and people.
In addition, the large number of people that make up urban populations causes the development of neighborhood areas in marginalized areas, where they live in precarious conditions.
Characteristics of the urban population
- You have all kinds of products and services at your fingertips.
- It has a high employment rate.
- It is surrounded by a modern infrastructure.
- It is exposed to more contamination.
- The cost of living is high.
- You often suffer from stress due to the fast pace of life.
Examples of urban populations:
- Bogota Colombia.
- Caracas Venezuela.
- Mexico City, Mexico.
- Santiago de Chile, Chile.
- New York, USA.
Learn more about:
