To calculate the percentage increase, we use the formula:

$\text{Percentage Increase} = \left( \frac{\text{New Population} - \text{Old Population}}{\text{Old Population}} \right) \times 100$

Substitute the given values:

• New Population (2024) = 15,600
• Old Population (2020) = 12,000

$\text{Percentage Increase} = \left( \frac{15,600 - 12,000}{12,000} \right) \times 100$

Step-by-Step Calculation:

1. Calculate the population increase:
   $15,600 - 12,000 = 3,600$
2. Divide the increase by the original population:
   $\frac{3,600}{12,000} = 0.3$
3. Convert to a percentage:
   $0.3 \times 100 = 30\%$

Final Answer:

The population increased by 30%.

Would you like a detailed breakdown of the steps or related examples?

Related Questions:

1. If the population grows by the same rate, what will it be in 2028?
2. How do you calculate a percentage decrease in population?
3. What would the percentage increase be if the population rose to 20,000 by 2024 instead?
4. How is percentage increase used in other real-world scenarios, like finance or economics?
5. Can you explain the difference between percentage points and percentage change?

Tip:

When solving percentage problems, always ensure the denominator is the original value to avoid confusion.