The line graph illustrates the percentage of the population residing in urban areas across four Asian countries—the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia—between 1970 and 2020, with projections extending to 2040.
Overall, all four nations are projected to experience an increase in urbanisation, with Malaysia consistently maintaining the highest proportion of city dwellers throughout the period. While the Philippines began with the highest urban population in 1970, it was overtaken by Malaysia by 1980 and subsequently showed more volatile growth.
In 1970, the Philippines led at 32%, closely followed by Malaysia at 30%. By 1990, the Philippines peaked at 48% before experiencing a decline to 43% in 2010, after which it is expected to rise steadily to 56% by 2040. Conversely, Malaysia saw rapid growth, climbing from 30% in 1970 to 70% by 2010, and is predicted to reach 83% by 2040.
Indonesia and Thailand started with the lowest urbanisation rates at 14% and 18% respectively in 1970. Indonesia experienced significant growth, particularly after 2000, rising from 30% to a projected 64% by 2040. Thailand’s urbanisation remained more gradual, increasing from 18% in 1970 to 33% in 2020, with a final forecast of 50% by 2040.