How did urban population growth in the United States compare with urban population growth in India from 1950 to 2007?

Between 1950 and 2007, both the United States and India experienced growth in their urban populations, though they began from different levels of urbanization and maintained distinct trajectories.1

In the United States, the urban population rose from approximately 64 percent in 1950 to about 81 percent by 2007. This shift occurred alongside the phenomenon of urban sprawl, where the geographic footprint of metropolitan areas expanded significantly—often at a rate exceeding population growth—driven by factors such as increased automobile reliance, federal loan programs, and a societal preference for single-family housing in suburban areas.1

In contrast, India remained a less-affluent developing country with a lower overall percentage of urban residents during this period. Its urban population increased from 17 percent in 1950 to approximately 29 percent by 2007. While India’s urbanization process has been characterized by rapid migration from impoverished rural regions to cities in search of economic opportunity, the infrastructure in many Indian cities has struggled to keep pace with the influx of new residents, often resulting in the development of informal settlements.12