Global Monitoring Report 2013: Rural-Urban Dynamics and the Millennium Development Goals

The Global Monitoring Report 2013: Rural-Urban Dynamics and
the Millennium Development Goals examines rural-urban
disparities in the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) and how urbanization, if managed well, can
contribute to the attainment of these goals. The report provides
information about the differences in progress toward the MDGs
across geographical areas and recognizes that urban populations
are better off than their rural brethren. However, unfettered
urbanization can cause migrants and the urban poor to end up in
slums where attainment of the MDGs lags.

GMR 2013 calls for an integrated strategy to better manage the
planning-connecting-financing formula of urbanization.
Notwithstanding the importance of urbanization in poverty
reduction and MDG attainment, rural areas remain a huge
challenge―one that underscores the importance of policies that
can improve rural livelihoods. The rural-urban spectrum ranges
from small towns to large cities. The general experience is that
poverty is lowest in the largest cities and considerably higher in
smaller towns. The MDGs reflect the basic needs of all citizens, and
governments should aim to meet them fully in both urban and rural areas. However, resources are scarce, so priorities must be set and
trade-offs made. The report argues that the sequencing of actions
be tailored to local conditions when it comes to the degree of
urbanization and rural-urban differences in MDG outcomes.

The world has met four global MDG targets. New estimates
confirm the 2012 reports that MDG 1.a―reducing the
$1.25-a-day poverty rate (2005 purchasing power parity)―was
reached in 2010, falling below half of its 1990 value. The world
also met part of MDG 7.c―to halve the proportion of people
without safe access to drinking water―in 2010. MDG 7.d―to
improve significantly the lives of at least 100 million slum
dwellers by 2020―was also achieved. Finally, the first part of
MDG 3.a―to eliminate gender disparity in primary education―
was accomplished in 2010. Global progress on the full MDG 3.a
(to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary
education) is close to being on track.

Global Monitoring Report 2013 was prepared jointly by the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, with
consultations and collaborations with regional development
banks and other multilateral partners.