BLOGGING THE VIEW: Fast facts to follow this World Population Day

11 July marks World Population Day – a day for us to reflect on the forces shaping our global population and the future we hope to leave our children (and animals).

This day was first established by the United Nations in 1989 when we reached a key milestone of 5 billion people on 11 July 1987.

How that number has shifted! Here’s a look at the world’s population today.

1. Disparities in population growth

This year, the global population is projected to be over 8.1 billion. While the pace of growth is slowing, disparities continue to widen. Fertility is declining in many regions like Europe and China, while countries across sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing a population surge, with projections showing a 79% increase to 2.2 billion by 2054.

2. Snapshot of global population trends

· In 1800, the global population was 1 billion
· In 1987, it was at 5 billion
· In 2011, it hit 7 billion
· In 2025, it’s anticipated to reach 8.1 billion
· Growth is expected to peak at 10.3 billion by 2080
· By 2100, the global population could decline slightly to 10.2 billion
· More than half the world’s population is now under the age of 30

3. What’s driving population trends?

This rapid growth has largely been driven by improvements in life expectancy and healthcare, with global life expectancy rising from 64.6 years in the 1990s to 73.3 years in 2024. Fertility rates, however, have shifted. In the early 1970s, women had an average of 4.5 children. By 2024, that figure dropped to 2.3.

Trends appear to be shaped by youth empowerment, gender equality, access to reproductive healthcare, and opportunities people have to choose the size of their families.

4. Barriers to reproductive choice

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the focus is not on overpopulation or population collapse, but rather on reproductive agency – the right and ability for individuals to decide freely and responsibly if, when, and how many children they want to have.

A 2024 UNFPA–YouGov survey of over 14 000 people across 14 countries showed many people want more children than they are able to have.

Barriers include:
· Economic hardship
· Healthcare access
· Housing insecurity
· Gender inequality
· Climate change

5. Africa’s role in the world’s future

Africa is the fastest-growing continent. By 2100, sub-Saharan Africa could have more than one-third of the global population, with Nigeria, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo set to become global demographic powerhouses.

This day is not just about the number of people on the planet, but also the planet we’re leaving for future generations. So play your part by doing something positive for the people and planet this World Population Day.

SOURCES:
www.un.org
www.awarenessdays.com

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