Populations in three different cities

The table gives information about the actual number of inhabitants in three different cities, in 1990 and 2000 ,as well as the estimated population for 2000.

Overall, while the population of Sao Paulo and Jakarta increased between 1990 and 2000, there was a decline in the population of Shanghai. Meanwhile, Sao Paulo remained the most populous city during the period shown.

In 1990, Sao Paulo recorded the highest population, at 15 million, followed by Shanghai and Jakarta, with 13.5 million and 9.5 million respectively. Although Sao Paulo’s population was predicted to reach 24 million by 2000, it only rose to 18 million. Similarly, the number of residents in Jakarta increased by 2 million in 2000, to 11.5 million, which was about 2.5 million fewer than foretasted.

There were 13.5 million people living in Shanghai in 1990 and the population was expected to experience significant growth over the next decade. However, in reality, it dropped to 12.5 million, instead of the foretasted increase to 17 million.

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Vocabulary

• The actual number of inhabitants (n)
• The most populous city (n)
• The estimated population/the forecasted (n)
• Population was predicted to/was expected to