Band 6+: 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 chart below illustrates the proportion of population in four Asian countries where people lived in cities from 1970 to 2020, and predictions for 2030 and 2040. Overall, the population of cities has increased over the given period, where Malaysia has the most drastic increase, being the country with the highest proportion of people who live in cities.

In the beginning, the Philippines was the country where the concentration of people who lived in cities was the highest. However, between 1970 and 1990, Malaysia surpassed the Philippines at the level of just under 50%. Malaysia has increased until recent days, it is also expected to achieve a higher percentage. In the same way, the Philippines had an increase, with fluctuations around 40%, reaching a peak of just under 50% in 1990. While the Philippines did not have such a drastic increase as Malaysia, it is expected to be 50 percents in 2040.

In contrast, Thailand and Indonesia started at the bottom levels, approximately 19% and 13%, respectively. Both countries had an upside trend between 1970 to 2020. Moreover, Indonesia crossed with Thailand at around 25%, and then went higher, becoming the second country with the highest proportion of people who live in cities. Despite Thailand’s upside trend, it remained and expected as one of the countries with the least concentration in cities, with an expected result of 40% in 2040.