The line graph illustrates the percentage of urbanization in four European countries – Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and Norway – between1960 and 2020, with projection up to 2040. The significant trends are revealed by the presentation, with some proportion showing steady growth and others experiencing decline.
Overall, the count of urban residents increased steadily in three countries out of four, especially in southern nations Spain and Portugal, and this trend is expected to continue in the future.
Initially, in the year 1960, the Netherlands commanded the highest rate, with above 40% of population, surpassing Spain, Portugal and Norway, with recorded numbers of 30%, 20% and 10% respectively. Despite its strong start in 1960, Netherlands suffered a strong downfall throughout the decades, with a sharp decrease in 2020 till under 40%. This downturn continues from 2020, projected to reach the culmination in 2040 by only above 10% of city citizens. Spain dipped slightly between 1960 and 2000 from 30% to just under 30% with significant surge between 2000 and 2020 close to 50%. From 2020 to 2040 the percentage of Spaniards living in megapolis predicted to level up to 50%.
Portugal, like its neighbour, experienced most dramatic rise started by 20% in 1960 and culminating at 50% of urban dwellers at 2020. Nevertheless, the prognosis for the next two decades, 2020 to 2040, shows slight fell from 50% to above 40% of population living in cities. Conversely, Norway consistently had the smallest proportion of urban residents. The Nordic country experienced stable fluctuation over the course of the years. At the beginning of the period, only 10% settled in towns, reaching 20% by the final years. The time-frame forecast for Norway is only above 20% by 2040.
In summary, urban population increased in all four countries, with Portugal showing the most rapid expansion and Norway remaining the least urbanised throughout of the entire period.