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Agglomeration Index: Towards a New Measure of Urban Concentration

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  • Hirotsugu Uchida
  • Andrew Nelson

Abstract

A common challenge in analyzing urbanization is the data. The United Nations (UN) compiles information on urbanization (urban population and its share of total national population) that is reported by various countries but there is no standardized definition of 'urban', resulting in inconsistencies. This situation is particularly troublesome if one wishes to conduct a cross-country analysis or determine the aggregate urbanization status of the regions (such as Asia or Latin America) and the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Hirotsugu Uchida & Andrew Nelson, 2010. "Agglomeration Index: Towards a New Measure of Urban Concentration," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2010-029, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2010-029
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2010-29.pdf
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    19. David Mayer-Foulkes, 2011. "Urbanization as a Fundamental Cause of Development," Working Papers DTE 501, CIDE, División de Economía.
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