Band 8+: The bar chart below gives information about the percentage of the population living in urban areas in the world and in different continents. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The picture provides data on the percentage of the population living in urban areas from 1950 to 2030.

Overall, all the regions in the picture illustrate upward trends over the eighty-year period. In addition, there are several noticeable features. While North America records by far the highest figures throughout the whole period, the opposite is true for Africa.

Focusing on the lowest proportions, the growth of the population in Africa and Asia follows a nearly similar trajectory. Initially, Asia accounted for 15%, while Africa stood at 17%. The figures are projected to rise to 36% and 37% respectively by the year 2030.

By contrast, although Latin America and the Caribbean and North America started with a considerable difference, at 42% and 64% respectively, the gap is projected to shrink to 3% by 2030. Moreover, Europe recorded a slightly higher rate than Africa and Asia. After starting at 51%, the figure increased to 72% in the following period. In the future, it is projected to approach approximately 80%.

Globally, the urban population also shows a steady trend. Starting at 29%, it is expected to reach exactly 60% in 2030.