The line graph illustrates the population trends in urban areas across various Asian countries from 1970 to 2020, along with predictions for future decades. Overall, the urban population in all represented nations has shown consistent growth and is expected to continue rising in the future.
Among these countries, Malaysia exhibits the most significant change in percentage terms, with a notable difference compared to other nations. In 1970, just over 30% of the population lived in cities in both Malaysia and the Philippines. However, after 20 years, this figure for both countries reached approximately 50%. From that point on, the percentage of the population living in urban areas in the Philippines moderately declined, although it is projected to increase to 53% in the future. In contrast, Malaysia’s urban population continued to grow, surpassing 80% by 2020 and is expected to continue this gradual increase by 2040.
In Thailand and Indonesia, only 19% and 13% of the population lived in urban areas, respectively, at the beginning of the last century. The urban populations in both countries steadily increased, with their percentages equalizing at 30% by the year 2000. Following this year, Indonesia’s urban population surged significantly, indicating substantial growth in the coming years. Meanwhile, Thailand’s urban population stabilized, but it is projected to experience a jump in the following decades.