The bar chart compares the percentages of the world’s population living in four countries – India, China, the USA and Japan – in 1950 and 2000, with projections for 2050.
Overall, the most striking feature is that China had the largest share in 1950 and 2000, whereas India is projected to have the largest share by 2050. By contrast, Japan had the smallest proportion throughout the period.
To begin with, China accounted for approximately 26% of the world’s population in 1950, compared with 15% in India. By 2000, China’s share had fallen to 24%, while India’s had risen to 19%. Looking ahead, India’s proportion is expected to increase to 21% by 2050. Meanwhile, China’s share is projected to decline to 19%.
Furthermore, the USA’s share stood at 10% in 1950, before falling to 8% in 2000. It is expected to remain unchanged in 2050. Similarly, Japan’s share declined from 5% in 1950 to 4% in 2000 and is forecast to fall further to just 3% by 2050.
