Global population and wealth distribution percentages across eight distinct world regions
The chart below gives information about global population percentages and distribution of wealth by region.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
- Population Share (%)
- Wealth share (%)
View the data
| North America | Latin America and Caribbean | Europe | Africa | China | India | Rich Asia-Pacific | Other Asia-Pacific | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population Share (%) | 6 | 8 | 15 | 10 | 23 | 15 | 5 | 17 |
| Wealth share (%) | 34 | 4 | 30 | 1 | 2.5 | 1 | 24 | 3 |
Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.
Band 8 sample answer
The bar chart illustrates the global distribution of population and wealth across eight distinct regions. Overall, it is evident that wealth is highly concentrated in specific areas, whereas population is more evenly spread, highlighting a stark economic imbalance.
North America, Europe, and the Rich Asia-Pacific region exhibit the most significant wealth-to-population ratios. North America, for instance, accounts for only 6% of the global population but possesses 34% of the world's wealth. Similarly, Europe holds 30% of global wealth with a 15% population share, and the Rich Asia-Pacific region commands 24% of wealth despite representing just 5% of the population.
In contrast, other regions face a reverse situation where their wealth share is significantly lower than their population proportion. China and India, which represent 23% and 15% of the global population respectively, hold only 2.5% and 1% of the world's wealth. Africa and the Other Asia-Pacific region follow a similar pattern, with Africa holding a mere 1% of wealth despite a 10% population share. Latin America and the Caribbean also show a wealth share of 4% against an 8% population share, indicating that the majority of the world's population resides in regions with relatively low wealth accumulation.
196 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.
How to write about bar charts
- Compare the biggest and smallest bars before anything else.
- If the bars show years, describe change; if they show places, describe rank.
- Round sensibly and say 'just over' or 'nearly' rather than guessing decimals.
- disparity
- a great difference between two or more things
- concentrated
- gathered together in one place or area
- stark
- severe or bare in appearance or outline
- accumulation
- the process of gathering or increasing in amount
- proportion
- a part, share, or number considered in comparison
- imbalance
- a lack of proportion or relation between things
Write your own report and get a band
Take a timed Academic writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.
Practise IELTS Academic writingOn your phone? Get the BandLadder app.
Frequently asked questions
What should the overview say?
The data reveals a significant disparity between population and wealth distribution, with North America, Europe, and the Rich Asia-Pacific region holding the vast majority of global wealth despite smaller population shares.
How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?
At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.
How do I describe bar charts?
Compare the biggest and smallest bars before anything else. If the bars show years, describe change; if they show places, describe rank. Round sensibly and say 'just over' or 'nearly' rather than guessing decimals.
More bar charts
- A bar chart illustrating vehicle ownership trends in China from 1987 to 1999
- A breakdown of drinking habits among different age groups in America
- A comparison of housing preferences in three UK cities in 2005
- A comparison of physical and cyber bullying across different age groups
- A Comparison of the Age Structures of France and India in 1984
- Adolescent perceptions of age-related rights and responsibilities across five countries
- All 677 Task 1 samples · Task 2 sample essays