decrease sharply / sharply decrease

For example, the percentage of people aged over 65 in China decreased sharply to 100... in 2000. Or sharply decreased to 100... in 2000.

Is it really OK to put sharply on either side of the word decrease?

I think "decreased sharply" sounds better in that context, but the position of the adverb is flexible.

My intuition is that "decreased sharply" is more likely, but yes, both are definitely correct.

I don't know of a specific rule, but I think that just in general, English allows some flexibility in the placement of adverbs that modify verbs.

Cross-posted with @The Newt. Great minds and all that...

Sharply is an adverb. Adverbs that modify a whole clause can often be placed either at the beginning or end or in the middle of a sentence.

In your example, however, the adverb modifies a specific verb, so it need to be placed either directly before or directly after it. I agree with the others that in this instance “decreased sharply” is much more idiomatic. But there’s no blanket rule.

Suddenly, the percentage decreased.
The percentage suddenly decreased.
The percentage decreased suddenly.

Sharply, the percentage decreased.
The percentage [had/had] sharply decreased.
The percentage [has/had] decreased sharply.