The given line graph illustrates the percentage of the population, living in urban areas in four Asia states, particularly such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia-over a fifty-year period between 1970 and 2020, with anticipations for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, it is clear that urbanisation has increased in four states, with Malaysia consistently having the most dominant proportion of urban dwellers throughout the season. In contrast, Thailand, despite having one of the lowest initial rates, is projected to experience the most ubiquitous urban growth in the long-term.
Primarily and foremost, in 1970 all four nations had relatively low levels of urbanisation, ranging to approximately 10% in Thailand to about 35% in Malaysia and the Philippines. Following this, by 1990 Malaysia had overtaken the Philippines with urban residents accounting for nearly 50%, whereas the Philippines experienced a plateau in growth, remaining at roughly 45%.
A significant trend can be observed in Thailand and Indonesia after 1990. While Indonesia’s urban population rose steadily from 30% in 1990 to over 60% by 2020, Thailand demonstrated an even steeper rise from around 30% in 2000 to a projected 65% in 2040. Interestingly, the Philippines exhibited a relatively stagnant trajectory between 1990 and 2020, increasing only marginally. Looking ahead, Malaysia is expected to remain the most urbanised country, reaching nearly 90% by 2040. Eventually, the other three countries are predicted to converge between 60% and 70%, with Thailand catching up rapidly.