The population of the country has trebled in the last 25 years.
{There has been a 'dramatic increase' in the number of people living in the country}
Unemployment has dropped by about 2% every year for the last six years.
{There has been a 'steady decrease' in the number of people out of work}
The government has spent a lot of money improving roads around the country.
{There has been a 'deterioration' in the national road system}
The number of exam passes achieved by students has risen by almost 50%.
{There has been a 'decline' in the exam pass rate}
American tourists have discovered that they can buy more foreign currency with their dollar.
{There has been a 'weakening' of the dollar}
It is now much easier to import goods into the country than it was a few years ago.
{There has been a ' tightening up' of border controls}
We're increasing our stocks of oil before the winter begins.
{We're 'running down' our stocks of oil}
Prices have gone up by about 4% every year since 2008.
{There has been a 'constant rise' in the rate of inflation}
The passs rate for the exam was 3% lower this year than it was last year.
{There has been a 'sharp fall' in the pass rate}
The government is going to reduce the number of conventional weapons in the armed forces.
{The government is going to 'build up' the number of conventional weapons they have}
Deflation has adversely affected many industries around the country.
{There has been a 'growth' in industrial activity}
The rules aren't as strict as they were before.
{There has been a relaxation of the rules}
Last year, 12% of the population worked in industry and 10% worked in agriculture. This year, 14% of the population work in industry and 8% work in agriculture.
{There has been a 'narrowing of the gap' between those working in different sectors of the economy}
Some management roles in the comapny will not exist this time next year.
{Some of the management roles are going to be 'phased out'}
More people are shopping at large supermarkets rather than small local stores.
{There has been an 'upward trend' in the number of people shopping at small local stores}
Her Italian is clearly better now than it was six months ago.
{There has been a 'marked progress' in her Italian}
Nowadays, people live in better houses, drive nicer cars and eat higher-quality food than they did twenty years ago.
{There has been a 'general improvement' in the standard of living}
The company has opened factories in France, Germany and Italy in the last five years.
{The company has witnessed considerable 'expansion' in the last five years}
The governemnt will spend less on social security next year.
{There are going to be 'cuts' in social security spending next year}
Young people nowadays want to see more of the world.
{Young people nowadays want to 'broaden' their horizons}