Percentage of the Population Living in Urban Areas in the World and in Different Continents - IELTS Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The bar chart below gives information about the percentage of the population living in urban areas in the world and in different continents.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words

Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner

Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score

Model Answer 1

The bar graph presents a comparative analysis of the percentage of the population residing in urban environments across various continents and the globe for the years 1950, 2007, and a forecast for 2030. Evidently, a substantial surge in the percentage of the population living in urban areas is anticipated.

The overview of the data indicates a global trend toward urbanization, with the percentage of the population living in urban areas showing a steady increase over the years. Notably, North America and Europe exhibit the highest proportions, while Africa and Asia started with the lowest but show significant urban growth.

Detailed examination of the statistics reveals that in 1950, less than a third of the world's population inhabited urban regions, with North America (64%) and Europe (51%) leading the urbanization scale. In contrast, Asia and Africa had a mere 15% and 17% of their populations living in urban areas, respectively. By 2007, there was a notable increase, with the global average rising to 60%. North America (79%) and Europe (72%) continued to dominate, whereas Asia and Africa experienced significant growth in urban living, reaching 41% and 37%, respectively.

Projections for 2030 suggest that urban dwelling will become even more prevalent, with an estimated 60% of the global population living in cities. The percentage of the population living in urban areas is expected to exceed 80% in both North America and Europe. Meanwhile, for the first time, more than half of Africa and Asia's population is projected to reside in urban areas, indicating a major shift in living patterns on these continents.

Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score

Model Answer 2

The chart provided illustrates the proportions of populations residing in urban locales globally and across various continents, as indicated for the years 1950, 2007, and projected for 2030.

A striking feature of the overview is the universal upward trajectory in urban habitation percentages over the eight decades. It is noteworthy that North America consistently reports the highest figures, while Africa and Asia show the most significant increments over time. This trend suggests an accelerating shift towards urban living.

Delving into specifics, in 1950, a mere 29% of the global population inhabited urban areas. A stark contrast is observed in North America, where 64% of people lived in cities, a number more than quadruple that of Africa's 15% and Asia's 17%. Europe and Latin America presented intermediate percentages, with 51% and 42% respectively. Fast forward to 2007, and the global percentage rose to 49%. North America sustained its lead, although Africa remained the least urbanized at 37%. The figures for other continents hovered between 40% to 70%, indicating a widespread and significant rise in urban living.

By 2030, it is anticipated that 60% of the world population will favor urban areas, with American continents projecting over 80% urban residency. Europe's urbanization is expected to climb to 78%, while Asia and Africa are projected to see around half of their populace residing in cities.

Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score

Model Answer 3

The bar chart intricately delineates the shifts in the percentage of the population living in urban areas globally, as well as within distinct continental regions, for three temporal snapshots: the year 1950, the year 2007, and a projection for 2030.

An overarching trend that emerges from the chart is the escalating inclination towards urban living. The percentage of the population living in urban areas has witnessed a consistent rise, with the figures for North America and Europe towering above their counterparts, while Africa and Asia, though initially modest, are catching up swiftly.

Delving into the specifics, the year 1950 marked less than one-third of the world's populace as urbanites, with the highest urban dwellers' percentages recorded in North America and Europe, at 64% and 51%, respectively. In stark contrast, the urban footprint in Asia and Africa was relatively minuscule, each continent hosting merely around one-sixth of its population in cities. Fast forward to 2007, there's a marked escalation, the global median soaring to 60%, with North America and Europe nearly saturating the urban landscape with 79% and 72%, respectively. Asia and Africa demonstrated robust urban expansion, charting upwards to 41% and 37%.

Looking ahead to the year 2030, the projection posits a transformative rise, with the global urban populace estimated to be 60%. The prediction underscores an urban majority, with North America and Europe's urbanites potentially breaching the 80% threshold. Conversely, Africa and Asia are anticipated to surpass the midpoint, heralding a new era where the majority of their denizens will partake in urban life.

Model Answer 4

The chart under scrutiny provides a comparison of the urban population as a percentage of the total population across various global regions at three distinct time intervals: 1950, 2007, and a forecast for 2030.

In an overarching view, the progression towards urbanization is evident, with all regions demonstrating an increase. The overarching trend is a pivot from rural to urban living, with developed regions showing a higher base and growth rate. The disparity between the most and least urbanized regions, while narrowing, remains pronounced.

Focusing on the details, we see that in 1950, less than a third of the world's populace were city dwellers, with North America leading at 64%, a stark contrast to the 15% in Africa and 17% in Asia. The percentage of the population living in urban areas stood at half for Europe, indicating a median level of urbanization. By 2007, the global median ascended to just under half, with North America maintaining its lead, albeit with a slight increase. Africa, while still the least urbanized, nearly tripled its urban population percentage, a significant leap reflecting rapid urbanization.

The projections for 2030 suggest a world where 60% of its inhabitants will be nestled in urbanity. The Americas are expected to host over 80% of their populations in cities, with Europe not far behind. Asia and Africa are anticipated to witness urban residency constituting half of their total population, underscoring the global trend.

Get your personalised IELTS Essay Feedback from a former examiner

Download IELTS eBooks, get everything you need to achieve a high band score