Band 6+: The chart below provides information about the growth of urban population in certain parts of the world including future prediction. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The chart illustrates the increase in the population of cities in the whole world, as well as some specific areas in the years 1950 and 2000. In addition, it predicts potential future trends.

Overall, it can be observed that in both milestones in the middle and the end of the 20th century, the rate of migration to cities was positive in all the areas that have been reported. Although forecasts indicate that this trend is likely to continue, urbanization will slow down by 2030.

In 1950, cities in Asia and Africa recorded growths of 12% and 13% per cent, respectively, which were just a bit more than a third of the same rate in the entire world. Conversely, figures in Latin America, at 41%, showed a higher degree of rise in city population than the average. However, at the turn of the century, growth rates of the three minor areas accelerated more quickly that the whole world.

It is predicted that by the year 2030, Latin America, at 80%, will see the highest rate of move from rural to urban areas, while the difference between Asia and the world in general is going to be negligible. Africa, on the other hand, will have the lowest rate of urbanization with 51% growth.