Band 8+: You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The bar chart shows the percentage of the total world population in 4 countries in 1950 and 2002, and projections for 2050. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. You should write at least 150 words.

The bar chart illustrates the percentage of the total world population represented by four countries — India, China, the USA, and Japan — in 1950 and 2002, with projections for 2050.

Overall, China and India accounted for the highest proportions of global population throughout the period, whereas the USA and Japan consistently had much lower shares. While China’s population share is expected to decline, India’s is projected to rise. By contrast, the figures for the USA are likely to remain stable, and Japan’s percentage is expected to decrease significantly.

In 1950, China had the highest share of the world population at around 23%, followed by India at approximately 15%. The USA and Japan stood at about 7% and 4% respectively. By 2002, China’s figure had dropped slightly to 20%, while India’s rose to around 17%. The USA experienced a slight decrease, and Japan remained relatively stable.

Looking ahead to 2050, India’s share is projected to surpass China’s, reaching nearly 20%, while China’s percentage is expected to fall to about 15%. The USA’s share is forecast to stay steady at around 5%, whereas Japan’s population is predicted to decline sharply, falling below 2%.