ABSTRACT
Three types of development policies are considered: policies for industrial expansion, policies for agricultural growth, and policies for regional and intermediate city development. Urbanisation in Colombia took place under exceedingly high rates of natural population growth. Industrial employment and per capita income are generally closely and positively associated in the development process. Prior to 1938 economic investment and growth patterns had little impact on industrial and commerical employment, or on urbanisation, since investments were almost entirely in the primary sector. Colombia’s political economy has been uncompromisingly structured around the principles of private property and a “free” competitive marketplace. After 1960 the Colombian Government gave somewhat greater attention to supporting agriculture. At least for recent years it would appear that migration patterns in Colombia are closely correlated with regional differences in wages and unemployment. State policies in Colombia undoubtedly tended to accelerate the urbanisation process in the country.
