Purpose of this map
This interactive map visualizes global, regional, and national patterns of informal settlements and shows how different types, risks, and contexts of informal urbanization appear geographically. The map reveals:
- where informal settlements are most widespread;
- what social, legal, and infrastructural characteristics they have;
- how the Global North and Global South differ in patterns and scale;
- which risks and socio-economic pressures drive informal growth;
- what types of informal settlements exist and where they are found.
Global scale
Over 1 billion people live in informal settlements worldwide. At the time of the study, forecasts expected this number to reach 1.4 billion by 2025.
| Region | People in informal settlements |
|---|
| Central, South, East and Southeast Asia | 589 million |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 228 million |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 110 million |
| North Africa and the Middle East | 69 million |
| North America and Europe | 0.8 million |
| Australia and New Zealand | 0.007 million |
Country profiles
Click a country on the map for its causes and examples. Summary:
| Country | Key figures |
|---|
| Brazil | Rio favelas: 22% of buildings, 1.4M people |
| Mexico | 4,800 ha illegally developed in Mexico City (1990s) |
| Ethiopia | 64% poor-quality housing stock |
| Kenya | Nairobi: 2M people (50%) in informal areas |
| Egypt | Risk of losing half of agricultural land |
| Yemen | 66% of the urban population in informal settlements |
| India | Mumbai: 60% in slums |
| Bangladesh | Korail: 364,230 m², 100,000+ residents |
| Romania | Extensive urban periphery settlements |
| USA | Detroit squatting, LA/NY illegal construction |
Types of informal settlements
By legal status
- Squatter territories: illegal occupation of public or agricultural land.
- Regulatory violations: unauthorized floors, garage extensions (e.g., Sochi, Russia).
- Hybrid forms: the Favela-Bairro program (Rio), legal improvements with informal design.
By materials
- Temporary: plastic, cardboard (1–3 years lifespan).
- Permanent: brick, concrete (10+ years).
By function
- Residential: individual homesteads, favelas, illegal multi-unit buildings.
- Commercial: informal markets, workshops, food stands.
- Social: religious buildings, community centers, informal schools.
Four risk categories
- Social risks: health issues, segregation, crime, exclusion.
- Economic risks: shadow economy, tax losses, declining investment.
- Political risks: governance deficits, instability.
- Environmental risks: unsafe land, lack of utilities, disaster zones.
Russian context
Russia has no classical “slums” but shows latent informal housing:
- squatting on public and municipal land;
- illegal construction (“samostroy”);
- examples: Sochi, Krasnodar (Musical District), Moscow migrant housing;
- garage cooperatives with multi-storey unauthorized extensions.
Data sources
UN-Habitat, GSDRC, World Bank, national statistics.
Mark Kostarev, research article, 2024–2025.