World population growth 

The United Nations (UN), in a new report, has projected the world’s population to reach 8 billion on November 15. 

Weren’t there concerns about declining birthrates? 

Well, there are concerns (majorly labour concerns) about declining birthrates, especially in a place like China. And this UN report is despite the fact that population growth is at its lowest in decades. The report, titled “World Population Prospects”, was released on Monday to mark the 2022 World population Day. In its projections, the world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050. 

What then is responsible for the growth? 

According to the report, population growth is caused in part by the declining mortality rate, which is due to advancements in healthcare. Further decline in the mortality rate is projected to result in an average lifespan of 77 years by 2050. The UN also projects that the world’s population could reach 10.4 billion before the turn of the century. 

How about the distribution of growth? 

Due to China’s aging population and history of restricting births, China is projected to lose its place as the most populous country in the world by 2023 to its Asian neighbour, India, whose population was 1.21 billion in its last census in 2011. The report added that a major part of the expected world population growth may be contributed by sub-Saharan Africa. “More than half of the projected increase in the global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the United Republic of Tanzania”, the report said.