What Is the World Population

Current world population and recent trends

• Approximately 8 billion: The global population size reached this milestone in late 2022 and continues to grow, albeit at a slowing rate
• Rapid growth in the 20th century: The number of people on Earth increased fourfold from 2 billion in 1926 to 7.8 billion in 2020
• Uneven distribution: Asia remains the most populated continent, with Africa experiencing the fastest growth rates in world population

Future population projections

Short-term projections (2030-2050)

• 9.7 billion by 2050: This is the median projection for the global population size according to the United Nations
• Concentration of growth: From 2017 to 2050, half of the world's population growth is expected to occur in just nine countries, primarily in Africa and Asia
• Aging population: The number of people aged 60 or over is projected to more than double by 2050, reaching 2.1 billion

Long-term projections (2050-2100)

• Peak population around 2084: The UN projects the global population size will peak at just under 10.3 billion in 2084
• Potential decline after peak: Some projections suggest a decline in the number of people on Earth after reaching the peak, due to falling fertility rates
• Significant regional variations: While some countries like Nigeria are expected to see substantial growth in their population, others like China may experience significant declines

Factors influencing population projections

Fertility rates

• Global decline: The median global fertility rate has fallen from 5 births per woman in 1950 to 2.4 in 2020
• Projected further decrease: The UN assumes global fertility will fall to 2.2 children by 2050 and 1.9 by 2100
• Regional differences: Some countries, like South Korea, have extremely low fertility rates (0.72), while others maintain higher rates

Life expectancy

• Increasing globally: Global life expectancy has risen from 50 years in 1960 to 73 years in 2020
• Substantial improvements in Africa: Life expectancy in Africa rose by 6.6 years between 2000-2005 and 2010-2015

Migration

• Increasing importance: Net immigration is becoming a more significant factor in world population growth for many countries
• Impact on developed countries: For countries like the United States, immigration is projected to be the primary driver of population growth in the coming decades

Population momentum and its effects

• Continued growth despite falling fertility: Even as fertility rates decline, the global population size can continue to grow due to the existing age structure
• Delayed impact of policies: China's population is expected to peak in the 2030s, decades after the implementation of the one-child policy
• Long-term implications: Population momentum can affect projections and planning for several decades, influencing the future number of people on Earth

FAQ

What is the current world population?

As of September 23, 2024, the current world population is approximately 8 billion people.

How many people are expected to be on Earth by 2050?

The global population size is projected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, according to United Nations estimates.

When is the world population expected to peak?

The global population size is projected to peak at about 10.3 billion people around the year 2084.

Which continents are experiencing the fastest population growth?

Africa is experiencing the fastest growth rates in world population, while Asia remains the most populated continent.

How has the global fertility rate changed over time?

The median global fertility rate has decreased from 5 births per woman in 1950 to 2.4 in 2020, and it's projected to further decline to 1.9 by 2100.