The graph illustrates the percentage of the population living in cities across four Asian countries over the period from 1970 to 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040. As can be seen from the graph, Indonesia and Malaysia experienced more significant growth in urban populations, with the latter anticipated to have the highest percentage of city populations among the four countries by 2040.
Indonesia and Malaysia showed relatively stable trends initially. At the beginning of the period, Indonesia and Malaysia’s urban populations stood at approximately 12% and 31%, respectively. Indonesia’s population gradually rose before soaring to half, while Malaysia experienced a slight decline until 1990, then surged noticeably to seven in ten. The urban populations in both countries are projected to maintain steady growth in the future.
Thailand’s urban population gradually rose in the first 20 years, then stabilized in the following years. The Philippines, starting with the highest figure at less than a third, saw steady growth followed by fluctuations and a rise in recent years. Both countries are predicted to grow in the coming years.