Academic Writing Task 1 · table

Historical and Projected Global Population Growth and Regional Distribution Trends

The tables below give information about the world population and distribution in 1950 and 2000, with an estimate of the situation in 2050.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

World Population 1950 - 2050

Year	1950	2000	2050
World population (billions)	2.5	6.0	9.0 (estimate)
Africa	9%	13%	20%
Asia	56%	60%	59%
Europe	22%	12%	7%
Latin America	6%	9%	9%
North America	7%	5%	4%
Oceania	<1%	1%	1%

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 table illustrates global population growth and regional distribution percentages across three distinct time points: 1950, 2000, and a 2050 estimate. Overall, the total world population is expected to rise from 2.5 billion in 1950 to 9.0 billion by 2050, representing a substantial increase over the century.

Regarding regional distribution, Asia has consistently remained the most populous continent, accounting for 56% of the total in 1950 and peaking at 60% in 2000, before a slight projected decline to 59% in 2050. Conversely, Europe’s share of the global population has experienced a sharp downward trend, plummeting from 22% in 1950 to 12% in 2000, with a further decrease to 7% expected by 2050.

In contrast, Africa’s proportion of the world population is set to rise steadily, more than doubling from 9% in 1950 to a projected 20% by 2050. Other regions show more stability; Latin America’s share grew from 6% to 9% and is expected to remain constant, while North America’s contribution has gradually declined from 7% to 4%. Oceania remains the least populated region, maintaining a marginal share of approximately 1% throughout the period.

184 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about tables

Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself.
Select; do not list every cell.
Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.

plummeting: falling or dropping straight down at high speed
proportion: a part, share, or number considered in comparison
steady: regular, even, and continuous in development or intensity
marginal: relating to or situated at the edge or fringe
projected: estimated or calculated based on current data trends
consistently: in every case or on every occasion without change

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

The world population is projected to increase significantly between 1950 and 2050, while the regional distribution shows a marked shift towards Africa and away from Europe.

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 tables?

Tables hide the trend: find the highest, lowest and biggest change yourself. Select; do not list every cell. Organise paragraphs by row or by column, whichever gives the clearer comparison.