Band 7+: The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph illustrates how many people live in four different countries in Asia from 1970 to 2040.

Overall, there is an increase in the population of all nations examined, with the most significant rise being seen in the figure for Indonesians. Additionally, despite being overtaken in 1970 and 1990, the number of Malaysians mostly led the chart.

Regarding the two countries generally having far higher percentages of residents in the former half of the period, there was just under 30% of Malaysians in the first year, followed by a considerable uptrend until being predicted to peak at 80% in the last year. Meanwhile, north of 30% of people were recorded to reside in the Philippines, after which it saw a quick jump to reach its highest point of 50% in 1990, which marked the second period when the figure for Philippines surpassed that for M. After decreasing to around 40% in 2020, the proportion of Filipinos will likely rise to 50% in 2040, obtaining the third rank.

As for the other two nations with lower population levels in the 1970-2020 period, the number of Thai people started at south of 20%, with a forecasted surge to high at 45% after seven decades. Notably, albeit standing at the third position initially, Thailand is predicted to have the fewest citizens in 2040. A similar change, but to a greater extent, could be seen in the figure for Indonesia. Despite being the least populated in the first year (only 14%), the number of Indonesians experienced a soar, overtaking the figure for Thailand (in 2000) and that for Philippines (in 2010). From 2030 onwards, Indonesia’s population is expected to reach a peak of 60%, ranking second in the chart.