IELTS Task 1: Ageing Population Trends (Line Graph)
The Task
The line graph below shows the percentage of the population aged 65 and over in three countries between 1980 and 2020, with projections to 2040. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Sample Band 8 Response
158 wordsModel answer written by EduForEveryone — for guidance only. Not an official examiner response.
The line graph illustrates the percentage of people aged 65 and over in three countries between 1980 and 2020, together with projections to 2040.
Overall, all three countries are expected to see their elderly populations grow, but Country X is ageing far more rapidly than the others, while Country Z's population is projected to remain comparatively young throughout.
In 1980, the three countries were relatively close together, ranging from 4% in Country Z to 11% in Country Y. Country X then aged dramatically, climbing from 9% to 28% by 2020 and is projected to reach 34% by 2040, making it easily the oldest of the three.
Country Y rose more gradually, from 11% to 18% over the actual period, with a forecast of 22% by 2040. Country Z, by contrast, remained almost flat, increasing only from 4% to 7% by 2020, and even by 2040 is expected to reach just 10%, leaving it by far the youngest population.