A Big Urban Migration

According to a report from the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the world's population will hit 7 billion in 2011. All but 3 percent of the growth over the next 40 years is going to take place in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

And, of the world's current 1.2 billion youth, nearly 90 percent live in the developing world. One of the report's co-authors notes, "During the next few decades, these young people will most likely continue the current trend of moving from rural areas to cities in search of education and training opportunities, gainful employment, and adequate health care."

Will they find such resources? Time will tell. For now, remember how important it will be for urban settings around the world to address issues of economic growth, race and class tensions, and the provision of basic public services.