The graph illustrates the proportions of city dwellers in four Asian countries over the period between 1970 and 2020, with estimated values projected through 2040.
It is evident that Malaysia has the highest percentage of urban residents and is estimated to maintain this position in the coming years. Additionally, except for the Philippines, which experienced fluctuations, the figures for the other countrieshave been steadily increasing over the given timeframe.
In 1970, nearly 30% of the populations of the Philippines and Malaysia were living in cities, while this figure was less than 20% for Indonesia and Thailand. By 2010, however, the percentage of urban residents in Malaysia had risen to over 70%, and Indonesia’s figure had surpassed that of Thailand, reaching around 40%. Meanwhile, after significant fluctuations, the percentage for the Philippines aligned with that of Indonesia.
Over the following decade, Malaysia’s proportion of city dwellers reached approximately 75%, nearly 25% higher than that of Indonesia. Furthermore, the figure for the Philippines showed a slight increase, while Thailand’s figure stabilized at nearly 30%. It is predicted that by 2040, the percentages of all four countries will increase, although their rankings will remain the same.