The global population reached 8 billion on 15 November 2022, with India projected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023.
In a statement issued prior to the milestone, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said:
This year’s World Population Day falls during a milestone year when we anticipate the birth of the Earth’s eight billionth inhabitant.
This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, recognize our common humanity, and marvel at advancements in health that have extended lifespans and dramatically reduced maternal and child mortality rates.
At the same time, it is a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and a moment to reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to one another.
According to the United Nations, the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen under 1 per cent in 2020.
The latest projections by the United Nations suggest that the world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050.
It is projected to reach a peak of around 10.4 billion people during the 2080s and to remain at that level until 2100.
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, said the United Nations.
Countries of sub-Saharan Africa are expected to contribute more than half of the increase anticipated through 2050.