(ORDO NEWS) — At any moment, the world population could cross the 8 billion mark. The latest UN report predicted that this milestone would be reached around November 15, but such things are incredibly difficult to determine with 100 percent accuracy.
Given current projections and some margin of error, it is likely that we are rapidly approaching the 8 billion mark and could be reached any day now.
“This year we expect the birth of the eight billionth inhabitant of the Earth. This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, to recognize our common humanity and to admire the advances in health that have increased life expectancy and significantly reduced maternal and child mortality,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“At the same time, it is a reminder of our shared responsibility to look after our planet and an occasion to reflect on where we are still falling short of our obligations to each other,” he added.
According to UN projections, the world’s population could rise to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100. By 2023, India will overtake China as the world’s most populous country.
Meanwhile, there will be a huge jump in population in developing countries. According to the UN, more than half of projected population growth by 2050 will occur in just eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania.
However, other forecasts predict a slightly different future. In 2020, a massive study published in The Lancet found that the world’s population will grow over the next few decades and will peak in 2064 at about 9.7 billion people. By 2100, the world population will drop to 8.8 billion.
Under both of these scenarios, huge population growth is expected in sub-Saharan Africa, while slower growth will be observed throughout the Arab world.
Some analysts believe that the predicted global demographic growth may lead to a shift in the political situation towards a multipolar world.
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