The line graph illustrates information on urban population growth in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, from 1970 to 2020, along with forecasts for the next 20 years. Overall, despite some fluctuations within the period, the percentage of people living in cities in these countries generally increased and is predicted to continue to rise until 2040.
The Philippines and Malaysia started with the largest shares of city citizens, with around 31%. While the figure for Malaysia rose significantly and steadily over the years, reaching approximately 75% in 2020, the Phillipines’s data stagnated in the 70s before rising to nearly 50% in the 80s and dropping under 40% in 2010. Both countries are expected to experience another increase by around 10% from 2020 to 2040.
Meanwhile, Indonesia witnessed a remarkable urban demographic shift after starting with the smallest figure on the graph. Their share of city dwellers consistently grew from around 12% in 1970 to about 30% in 2000, overtaking that of Thailand, and to above 40% in 2010, surpassing the figure for the Philippines. As for Thailand, their urban population also grew in size considerably, though less so than Indonesia, and ended at under 30% of the overall population, almost twice its initial number. Growth is forecast for both, with Indonesia’s figure reaching 60%, and Thailand’s at slightly above 40%.