The Graph Below Gives Information About the Percentage of the Population in Four Asian Countries

Lilie King
Written by Lilie

7.5 in Academic Writing

Improved by Gregory

Born and Raised in Canada

June 22, 2023

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

This essay question is from IELTS 18 Test 1 Writing Task 1.

Percentage of the population living in cities

percentage of the population living in cities

Sample Essay

The line graph shows the proportion of people in four Asian countries who were living in cities from 1970 to 2020, along with projections for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, there was an increase in the population of city dwellers in all four countries, and Malaysia stood out as having the highest percentage among the group. These patterns will likely continue into the future.

Malaysia and the Philippines both had about 30% of their populations living in cities in 1970. Malaysia then experienced substantial growth, with cities holding roughly 75% of its population by 2020, while the Philippines fluctuated between 35% and 45%.

Thailand’s city dwellers accounted for almost 20% of its population in 1979, compared to Indonesia’s 15%. However, the population of city dwellers in Indonesia increased more rapidly, reaching nearly half the total population by 2020, whereas Thailand’s percentage rose to only around 30%.

Predictions indicate further growth in the population living in cities across all four countries. By 2040, Malaysia is set to have the greatest percentage, surpassing 80%, followed by Indonesia’s 65%. The figures for the Philippines and Thailand are expected to be approximately 55% and 50%, respectively. (191 Words)

Common Mistake

  • Do not use “urban”

An urban population is the population living in urban areas, which include not only cities but also surrounding areas characterized by high population density and economic activity. It’s worth noting that an urban population can be greater than the population of a particular city if the urban area extends beyond the administrative boundaries of that city.

  • Do not use “city residents”

People may live in a city and not be, administratively speaking, residents. However, “city dwellers” is correct in this context.

Vocabulary for Predictions

  • Will likely

Malaysia will likely have the highest percentage of the population living in cities by 2040, surpassing 80%.

  • Be set to

Malaysia is set to have the highest percentage of the population living in cities by 2040, surpassing 80%.

  • Be expected /projected/predicted/forecast to

Malaysia is expected to have the highest percentage of the population living in cities by 2040, surpassing 80%.

3-Day Writing Task 2 Challenge

38 CommentsLeave A Comment

  1. The line chart provides how the percentage of city population in four different Asian countries such as Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia changed over a 50-year period, starting from 1970, along with anticipation for 2030 and 2040.

    Overall, it can be seen that the city dwellers’ percentage in all four countries increased in the given time. Malaysia showed the highest increase among all countries. Further, this trend will be same in the future.

    Looking at the datasets in more detail, it is evident that people who lived in city in Malaysia stood at 30% in 1970. By 2040, it’s anticipated that this figure will increase to about 80%, which is the highest proportion of population on the chart. The percentage of people in Indonesia shows a similar trend, rising from about 12% to 60% in 1970 and 2040, respectively.

    Turning to the remaining datasets, it is clear that people who lived in city in Philippines was about 30% in 1970. This figure rose to about 50% in 1990 and it fell again to about 40% in 2010. Then it increased briefly to 45% in 2020 and it can be predicted that it will be constant till the end of period. The proportion of city population in Thailand increased from about 20% in 1970 to about 30% in 2020. By 2040, it’s assumed that this figure will rise to about 43%, which is the lowest increase among all countries.

  2. The line graph indicates proportionally the population of citizens residing in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 and 2020 with anticipations to 2030 and 2040.
    Overall,the population of all the countries increased until 1990 with Philippines showing the most significant increase among other countries. Next, between 1990 and 2020, apart from Philippines that saw a general decrease, all the figures grew. From 2020 to 2030, all the countries will experience an increase in their population.
    From 1970, the proportion of all states is around 15% to less than 35%. They all rose up to more than 20% and Philippines’s population remarkably went up to around 50%. Then, from 1990 to 2020, Malaysia and Indonesia’s proportion grew quickly to 75% and above 50%, respectively. Thailand’s population moved from below 30% to over 30% and Philippines was the only country that fell slightly to around 45%.
    Moreover, the predictions display a moderate growth in the population of all countries from 2020 to 2040. Malaysia will become the most crowed country in term of the citizens by accounting for around 85% while the other countries will account for between almost 50% to above 60%.

  3. The given line graph demonstrates the cities’ percentage of the population in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 to 2020, while predicting the population in 2030 and 2040.

    Overall, the percentage of population among four Asian countries displaced a gradually growth from 1970 to 2020, and it is also predicable that the population will continuous to increase in 2030 and 2024.

    In 1970, Philippines led the population, with more than 30% of total population. Malaysia had the second largest population in 1970, followed by Thailand at 30% and 19% respectively. Indonesia had the smallest population among four countries, at 14%.

    Nevertheless, with the rapid growth of population in Malaysia, it had overtaken the population of Philippines in 2000, at 60% of the total population. Additionally, the population of Indonesia had overtaken the population of Philippines and Thailand in 2020, with 50% of population. Indonesia is assumed to have the second largest population at 60% in 2040.

    Lastly, It was predicted that in 2024, Malaysia will have the highest population with 80% of total population and Thailand will have the least population with 45% in 2040.

  4. I’ve got a few questions for you. I have no idea what difference is between By 2010 and in 2010. I do know when we use IN, it exactly happens in 2010. No clue for BY. Cheers

  5. The line graph depicts the percentage of the total population living in cities in four countries in Asia, between 1970 and 2020, along with projections for 2030 and 2040.

    Overall, all four countries have had and will have an increase in the percentage of city dwellers, and Malaysia stood up with the highest proportion among the rest of the countries.

    The Philippines and Malaysia had approximately 30 percent of their population living in cities in 1970. Then they both gradually increased to roughly a half in 1990. After which, Malaysia continued growing steadily, reaching a quarter of its residents in 2020, whilst the Philippines fluctuated between 35 and 45 percent.

    Thailand’s city dwellers began with almost 20%, more than Indonesia’s 15%. However, Indonesia illustrated an ascendent rapidly growing to 50%, whereas Thailand only reached about 29 % in 1990, figures which have been maintained until 2020.

    Predictions show further and prosperous evolutions in the population living in cities in these four countries. It is believed that Malaysia will reach the highest percentage of 83% percent in 2020, and below this number, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will reach about 63%, 58% and 50%, respectively.

  6. Ms. Can I campare the proportion of Thailand and Indonesia in 2000 to Philippines and Malaysia in 1970? The graph shows they are at the same number around 30% of total population.

  7. The graph provides a survey of four Asian countries’ residents residing in cities from 1970 to 2020, and it also provides a projection for the years 2030 and 2040.

    Overall, there was an increase in the percentage of city dwellers in all four countries, and Malaysia was upswing always. This tendency was likely to continue in the upcoming years.

    in the year 1970, Malaysia and the Philippines had almost 30% of the total population, who were living in cities. Then, Malaysia experienced substantial growth by the year 2020, which possessed 78% of its entire citizens. While the Philippines saw a fluctuation between 50% and 45% till 2020. In addition, it was expected Malaysia and the Philippines would go upward by the year 2040, which will account for 85% and 62%, respectively.

    Thailand and Indonesia’s city dwellers were almost 19% and 10% back in the year 1970. In addition, their percentages were akin to each other in the year 2000, which was approx 27%. However, the percentage of Indonesia increased more rapidly, reaching almost half of the population. Whereas, Thailand was almost stable till 2020. Moreover, the figures for Thailand and Indonesia are predicted to be almost 55% and 50%, respectively.

  8. Sometimes you have put a comma (,) before whereas & while, and sometimes you haven’t. So are there any rules or both are correct?

  9. Hi, could u check please:

    The line graph compares the data about how many people live in certain Asian regions from 1970 to 2020, and forecasting of the population over a decade between 2030 and 2040.
    Overall, what stands out from the graph is, that the number of citizens will be increased gradually in all countries. The most significant population will be in Malaysia by the end of predicted period.
    In 1970, at the same level at 30% of people lived in Malaysia and Philippines. The rate of population in Malaysia rose considerably by 15% in 1990, and then it saw a rapid growth by 2020 and it will be grown to just over 85% in 2040. Indeed, the proportion of people who lived in Philippines fluctuated at the level of between 30% and 50%, and this figure will be rise by 10% by the end of period.
    At the beginning of the period, the rate of population was the least in Thailand and Indonesia at the level of 18% and 12%, in respectively. The amount of population in Indonesia saw a constant growth multiplying its 5 times by 2020, after that it will be shown a growth at just over 60% in 2040. Consequently, in Thailand the population rate went up by 10% in 1990 and after levelled off at the same level until 2020, and it will be forecasted to clime fifth percent by the end of period.

  10. The line graph provides data on the rate of the population in the cities of Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 and 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.

    Overall, it is clear that Philippines had the highest city dwellers and the future population will be higher for all four countries.

    In 1970, Philippines and Malaysia had almost the same proportion of population living in their cities at around 30%. Though for Malaysia this figure has fluctuated, city dwellers in philippines rose dramatically for the entire period and a future increase of about 80% is expected by 2020.

    People living in the cities of Thailand was just under 20% which then flictua Until 2020 at nearly 30% and the future prediction is approximately 50% by 2040. Cities of Indonesia have seen a gradual increase in population from barely 12% in 1970 to around 50% in 2020. This rate is going to be 10% more by the next 20 years. Although, there was a common meeting point for Philippines and Indonesia’s graph in 2010 at about 43%.

  11. Miss i am not able to figure out how can i judge whether to use past perfect or past simple and 2nd presently in which year we are standing? So it can easily predict whether to use past perfect or past simple

  12. The line graph illustrates the trends of the population situated in cities in four Asian countries during eight years from 1970 to 2020 and forecasts the population change in 2030 and 2040. Overall, all countries’ populations increased throughout the years, with Malaysia having the highest number of people from 1970 to the predicted dates. Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia all steadily increased.

    According to what is shown, Malaysia had the most significant number of people living in its cities, it rose with an increase of 45% between 1970 and 2020 ( 30% to 75%, respectively). Furthermore, it was anticipated to increase by 10%, reaching 85% in 2040. Thailand’s and Indonesia’s figures grew too; however, in 2000, both had equal amounts of people living in cities( 25%). In addition, Thailand saw a significant difference, where it was foreseen to double in population from its initial amount in 1970 to reach a percentage of 40.

    In contrast to these countries, the Philippines fluctuated. It increased steadily until 1990 when it peaked at approximately 50%. Later, it saw a decline until 2010(45%), then rose again and was predicted to continue growing in 2040.

  13. is it okay that in details paragraph 1, i taked about indonesia and thailand including their future predictions and in details paragraph 2 i did the same for malaysia and the philippines? and my full word count was 222. would that be a problem?

  14. The line chart compares the four Asian regions in terms of the populations that were living in cities during the period of 1970 to 2020. And it is anticipated that the number will increase between 2030 and 2040. Is it correct?

    1. Hi, the past perfect is usually used with ‘BY 2020’, whereas the past simple is usually used with ‘IN 2020’.

  15. Can I write “The given line graph illustrates the proportion of city dwellers in four Southeast Asian countries”?

    1. I intended to write 2040 but not sure why I wrote 2030 instead. Thank you for pointing that out! I’ve corrected it in the last paragraph.

  16. Malaysia emerges as the frontrunner with the highest proportion of city residents compared to the others? Or Malaysia emerges as the frontrunner with the highest proportion of city residents? Why comparing with the highest?

  17. Hi Lilie!So happy to see your new work! You have been the greatest support for my study! In your essay, you wrote “Malaysis will have the largest percentage of city residents”. I wonder if it is OK to say ” By 2030, it is predicted that Malaysia [will have had] the largest …”?

    1. Hi Silver, sorry for the late response. I’ve checked with native speakers and yes you can use ‘will have had’.

  18. The line graph reveals the percentage of cities population in four asian countries from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. There were and will be more people residing in cities in overall, while malaysia had the greatest proportion of people lived in cities since 1990s, significantly outnumbered those in philippines, thailand and indonesia.

    There were about 30% of the total population in both philippines and malaysia resided in cities back in 1970, when there was less than 20% of the thais and indonesians lived in cities. Filipinos had the highest proportion of its population lived in cities in 1970, before it was surpassed by the malaysian in 1980. Fluctuated percentage of cities population in philippines started to decline in 1990 after it just passed the malaysia again. Percentage of cities population in indonesia meet that in thailand and philippines in 2000 and 2010 respectively, when philippines had recorded the downfall for 2 consecutive decades since 1990. About 40% of filipinos and indonesians lived in city in 2010, when philippines’s percentage of cities population started to rise again.

    The greatest surge in percentage of malaysian and indonesian cities population were between 1990 to 2010. All four countries are predicted to have the rising percentage of cities population for 2030 and 2040, with at least 40% of their population living in cities eventually.

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