The increasing percentage of urban dwellers in more-developed countries is best explained by which of the following?

• A. the shift from agricultural to industrial and service-based economies
• B. government policies restricting rural-to-urban migration
• C. a decrease in population growth rates
• D. higher birth rates in urban areas compared to rural areas

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of urbanization in more-developed countries, which involves analyzing the movement of people from rural to urban areas over time.
2. Step 2: Recognize that economic structure changes are a primary driver of urbanization. Specifically, identify the shift from agricultural economies to industrial and service-based economies as a key factor.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the other options: government policies restricting migration, population growth rates, and birth rates in urban areas, and consider their typical effects on urban population changes.
4. Step 4: Connect the economic shift to increased urban job opportunities, which attract rural residents to cities, leading to a higher percentage of urban dwellers.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best explanation for the increasing urban population percentage is the structural economic transformation from agriculture to industry and services, rather than migration restrictions or birth rate changes.