Graph Projections

Not all graphs give information about the past: some give estimated figures of future data. For example:

This graph shows the population of Denmark from the year 2013 to the year 2030. But the only figures which we can be sure about are the ones for the past or the present. All the other figures are in the future and they are estimates (what we, or the population statisticians, think the population will be). These estimates are called projections, also known as extrapolations or trend estimations. So we can say that the population of Denmark is projected to rise to almost 6.1 million in 2030.

You can see that it is important to look at the axes in order to decide whether the data in the graph is a projection or not.

Usually the projected data is indicated on the graph by a dotted line, as in this case. See an authentic projection graph on the line graph examples page and you more examples of projections on the authentic chart examples page.