tivity and created urban poverty as well as unemployment and un­ deremployment in most parts of Africa. In Ghana and the United Republic of Cameroon, for in stance, rural depopulation has seriously affected agricultural production. The result~g high urban growth rates have led in turn to the development of slums, shortages of housing and water, inadequate sewerage and waste disposal systems and water and air pollution. In several ECA member States, alleviation of these problems "Jould require a level of ~vestment which is beyond the Governments' means. 133 E/EC,~./CH. S/5 16. In some cases there is a mismatch between the distribu­ tion of population and resources. Whereas large tracts of fer­tile agriculturul land in Chana and Nigeria, for example, are sparsely settled, less favourable areas are densely populated. The existence of small, scattered villages for which it would be uneconomic to provide amenities and basic infrastructure has also held up the implementation of regional development plans in many ECA member States. 17. By far the most important and most visible of these population distribution problems is the disproportionate con­ centration of the urban population in a single metropolitan centre, usually the capital city. This problem underlines how much development remains localized in a few poles, and the dimen­ sions of the gap between cities and country side. The expect at ions of employment which the primate cities excite all over the country lead to massive and continuing in-migration by people who rarely have the skills required for urban employment, except in marginal occupations. This marginalization of a growing propor­ tion of the urban population, along with unemployment, traffic congestion and poor housing, demands the serious attention of policy-makers and decision-makers in most African countries, and explains the present policies of planned dispersion and 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the consequences of rapid urbanization and population growth in Africa, highlighting issues such as poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental pollution. It also touches on the mismatch between population distribution and resources, which affects agricultural production and regional development plans. The text seems to be more focused on the social and economic implications of population growth rather than the natural environment or technological advancements.

**Category**
Economic development, Employment