Writing task 1: Line graph

The line graph illustrates the percentage of people who are at the age of 65 and over in three nations namely the United States, Sweden and Japan over a period of 100 years starting from 1940.

Overall, it is clear that there was an increase in the proportion of the ageing population in three countries despite many fluctuations. Also, the figure for Japan experiences a biggest change over the period shown.

Looking at the chart in detail, the elderly people in the US stood at roundly 9% in 1940 which was the highest point compared with the figures for Sweden and Japan, roundly 7% and about 5% respectively in the same year. During four following decades, the percentage of population aged 65 and over in America and Sweden saw a gradual increase to 15% and roundly 14% respectively in 1980 while the figure for Japan experienced a slight decrease by 2% in 1960 and then remained stable around 3% in 1980 which was the lowest point during the period shown.

Although the figure for Japan was the lowest among three countries during the first decades, this figure is predicted to increase significantly to 25% in 2030 and reach a peak of approximately 27% in 2040. Similarly, the percentage of people who are at 65 and over in the USA, Sweden is expected to increase gradually to about 23% and over 25% respectively despite some fluctuations during the middle of the period.