Urbanization process of Mongolia

Abstract

Urbanization is not only increasing in Asia but is also varied across the region. This paper presents and overview of trends in urbanization and regional population distribution in Mongolia. Rural to urban migration is essentially the main cause of urban growth. Mongolia began experiencing urbanization in the 1950s. Both collectivization and industrialization played an important role. In the recent past the rate of urbanization has been very high. Currently urban population constitutes more than half of the total population. One -third of the population is found in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.The changing definition by the government of what constitutes an urban center over the years, has changed the size of urban population over time. The proportion of urban to total population has been rising from 44% in 1969 to 56.6 percent in 2000.

Regional population distribution has been influenced by a wide range of factors. These include geographical, history, type and location of economic activities as well as the direct and indirect impact of policy decisions of government. There is a wide variation in the population sizes of the regions. Khangal and the west had the largest population sizes in 1979 and 2000 respectively. Central and khangal currently have the highest concentration of urban population. The west has the lowest level of urbanization while central and east regions have the highest. Ulaanbaatar experienced the highest growth in urban population in the last two decades which was a result of out- migration of large numbers of population from west and central, especially since 1990.

Concentration of urban population between 1970 and 2000 was found in places that could be considered medium sized cities/soums with populations of between 20000 and
Concentration of urban population between 1970 and 2000 was found in places that could be considered medium sized cities/soums with populations of between 20000 and 100,000. Some of the small-sized centers actually lost populations as found in 2000, 32% of resident population of Ulaanbaatar were migrants from other aimags and cities. Ulaanbaar is the largest city while Darkhan was the second largest in 1989. In 2000 Bayan Undur was the second largest.The population size difference between the largest and second largest cities has been very large. Finally though there exists statutes governing and regulating internal migration, people do not follow these laws and regulations.