More Than 3 Billion People Could Be Living in Slums by 2050: UN

The UN predicts that more than 3 billion people could be living in slums by 2050. This is a challenge to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 11, which is to ‘Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’.

Today, more than 1 billion people live in informal, overcrowded settlements. This number is set to triple in the next three decades as populations rise and more people move into cities. In many developing countries, 1 in 3 urban residents live in informal settlements.

One possible solution is to build affordable housing. However, some critics argue that this is counter-productive, as it moves people away from their jobs and support networks. Instead, they say we should focus on upgrading existing settlements. This would involve working with the people who live there to provide them with the secure, sustainable housing and amenities they need.

Here's more on why slum populations are set to surge as the housing crisis bites.