Band 9: The chart below shows the percentage of the population living in urban areas in the world and in different regions. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

The bar chart illustrates the proportion of people living in urban areas globally and in six regions in 1975 and 2020, with projections for 2050.

Overall, urbanisation has increased worldwide and is expected to continue rising, though levels and rates vary across regions.

Between 1975 and 2020, global urbanisation rose from around 38% to 58%, with projections nearing 70% by 2050. Africa and Asia had the lowest rates in 1975 (about 25%), but both saw significant increases, reaching 43% and 50% in 2020. A further 15% growth is forecast by 2050, though they will remain the least urbanised.

By contrast, North America, Europe, and Latin America had the highest rates. In 1975, about three-quarters of North Americans and two-thirds of Europeans lived in urban areas. These rose modestly by 2020 and are expected to reach 90% and 83%, respectively, by 2050. Latin America, starting at 60%, surpassed Europe by 2020 and is projected to reach 87%.

Urbanisation in Oceania remained relatively stable, declining slightly by 2020 and expected to rise modestly to 71% by 2050.