World’s population hits 8 billion, UN says – BBC News

BBC News
15 Nov 202203:07
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe global population is projected to reach 8 billion people by Tuesday, according to the United Nations. The population has doubled in less than 50 years and is expected to continue growing, with 9 billion projected by 2037 and 10 billion by 2058. Over half of the increase to 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the population is set to double to 2 billion by 2050. Despite declining fertility rates, the population is expected to rise due to the large number of people in childbearing age and increased life expectancy. This growth will put pressure on resources such as food, water, and energy, and will have significant implications for society and the planet.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 The global population is projected to reach 8 billion people, a landmark figure, according to the United Nations.
  • 📈 The world's population has doubled in less than 50 years and continues to rise, highlighting the era of significant population growth.
  • 🏞️ In 1800, there were around 1 billion people on Earth, and it took over a century for that number to double.
  • 📊 The 20th century saw a rapid increase in population, reaching 3 billion in 1960 and adding nearly a billion each subsequent decade.
  • 🔮 Future projections by the UN estimate 9 billion people by around 2037 and 10 billion by 2058, with a potential peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s.
  • 🌐 More than half of the projected population increase to 2050 will occur in just eight countries, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • 🇮🇳 India and China are the most populous countries, each with over 1.4 billion people, with India expected to overtake China as the most populous next year.
  • 📉 China's population, along with many other countries, is expected to decline sharply later this century due to declining global fertility rates.
  • 👶 In 1950, the average number of children born to women was five, which has more than halved to 2.3 and is expected to fall further.
  • 👵 The world's population is aging, with about one in ten people currently aged 65 or older, a figure projected to rise to almost one in six by 2050.
  • 🌳 The growing population exerts increasing pressure on resources such as food, water, energy, and infrastructure, posing significant challenges for society and the planet.
Q & A
  • When is the global population projected to reach 8 billion people according to the United Nations?

    -The global population is projected to reach 8 billion people on Tuesday, as mentioned in the transcript.

  • How long did it take for the world's population to double from 1 billion to 2 billion after 1800?

    -It took over a century for the world's population to double from 1 billion to 2 billion after 1800.

  • What was the global population in 1960?

    -The global population reached 3 billion in 1960.

  • What is the projected global population by 2037 according to the UN?

    -The UN projects there will be 9 billion people by around 2037.

  • When is the global population expected to peak?

    -The global population could peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s.

  • Which region is expected to almost double its population by 2050?

    -The total population of sub-Saharan Africa is set to almost double to 2 billion by 2050.

  • What is the current average global life expectancy?

    -The average global life expectancy reached almost 73 years in 2019.

  • How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected global life expectancy?

    -COVID-19 pushed the average global life expectancy down by nearly two years.

  • What is the projected proportion of the world's population that will be 65 or older by 2050?

    -By 2050, it is projected that almost one in six people on the planet will be 65 or older.

  • What is the historical average number of children women gave birth to in 1950?

    -In 1950, women gave birth on average to five children.

  • How has global fertility changed since 1950?

    -Global fertility has dramatically declined since 1950, with the average number of births per woman more than halved to 2.3 and expected to fall further.

  • What is one of the major challenges posed by the growing world population?

    -The growing world population puts increasing pressure on resources such as food, water, energy, and infrastructure, leading to significant societal and environmental challenges.

Outlines
00:00
🌍 Global Population Reaches 8 Billion

The global population is projected to reach an all-time high of 8 billion people, according to the United Nations. This significant milestone comes as the world's population has doubled in less than 50 years and continues to rise. Historically, the growth has been exponential, with 1 billion in 1800, reaching 3 billion by 1960, and increasing by nearly a billion each decade thereafter. The UN forecasts a further rise to 9 billion by around 2037 and 10 billion by 2058, with a potential peak at 10.4 billion in the 2080s. More than half of the projected increase by 2050 will occur in just eight countries, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, which includes some of the world's least developed nations already facing food insecurity. The world's two most populous countries, India and China, both with over 1.4 billion people, are expected to see a decline in population later this century due to declining global fertility rates. Despite a drop in fertility from an average of 5 children per woman in 1950 to 2.3 births, the population continues to grow due to the large number of people in childbearing age. Additionally, increased life expectancy, which reached almost 73 years in 2019, contributes to population growth. However, the aging population, with one in ten currently 65 or older, will rise to one in six by 2050, placing a greater burden on the younger generation. The growing population also exerts pressure on resources such as food, water, energy, and infrastructure, posing significant challenges for society and the planet.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Global population
Global population refers to the total number of people living on Earth. It is a central theme of the video, as it discusses the projected increase to 8 billion people and its implications. The script provides historical context, noting the population's growth from 1 billion in 1800 to the anticipated 8 billion mark.
💡United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that provides data and projections on global issues, including population growth. In the script, the UN is the source of the population figures and future projections, highlighting its role in monitoring and reporting on demographic trends.
💡Population growth
Population growth is the increase in the number of people over time. The video emphasizes the rapid growth, with the population doubling in less than 50 years and expected to continue rising. It is tied to the main theme as it discusses the past, present, and future growth, including the potential peak and decline.
💡Fertility rate
Fertility rate is the average number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime. The script mentions that the global fertility rate has declined dramatically from an average of five children per woman in 1950 to 2.3, which is a key factor in future population projections and an important demographic metric.
💡Life expectancy
Life expectancy is the average number of years a person is expected to live, based on current mortality rates. The video notes that the global life expectancy reached almost 73 years in 2019, which has increased by almost nine years since 1990. This increase contributes to the growing population as people live longer.
💡Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is a region that includes all African countries south of the Sahara desert. The script highlights that more than half of the projected population increase by 2050 will be in just eight countries, half of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. This underscores the regional disparities in population growth.
💡Food insecurity
Food insecurity refers to the state where people lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. The video mentions that many least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa are already experiencing food insecurity, which is a significant challenge as the population continues to grow.
💡India and China
India and China are the two most populous countries in the world, each with more than 1.4 billion people. The script discusses how India is expected to overtake China as the most populous country next year, which is a significant demographic shift with global implications.
💡Population decline
Population decline refers to a situation where the number of people in a country or region decreases over time. The video notes that China's population, along with many other countries, is expected to fall sharply later this century, which contrasts with the overall global trend of population growth.
💡Aging population
An aging population is a demographic trend where the median age of a population increases. The video states that about one in ten people on the planet is now 65 or older, and by 2050, it will be almost one in six. This has implications for social support systems and the burden on younger generations.
💡Resource pressure
Resource pressure refers to the strain placed on natural resources due to increased demand, often as a result of population growth. The video discusses how the growing population puts increasing pressure on resources such as food, water, energy, and infrastructure, which are critical for societal well-being and sustainable development.
Highlights

The global population is projected to reach 8 billion people on Tuesday, an all-time high

The world's population has doubled in less than 50 years and is set to keep rising

There were around 1 billion people on Earth in 1800, and it took over a century for that to double

The population really took off in the 20th century, reaching 3 billion in 1960 and adding nearly a billion each decade after that

We are now set to hit 8 billion people on the planet

The UN projects there will be 9 billion people by around 2037 and 10 billion by 2058

The global population could peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s before declining in the next century

More than half the projected population increase to 2050 will be in just eight countries, half of them in sub-Saharan Africa

The total population of sub-Saharan Africa is set to almost double to 2 billion by 2050

India and China are the world's most populous countries, both home to more than 1.4 billion people

India will overtake China as the most populous country next year

China's population, along with many other countries, is set to fall sharply later this century

Global fertility is declining dramatically, with women giving birth to an average of 2.3 children, down from 5 in 1950

There are many people of childbearing age now, which explains why the global population will keep rising for much of this century

Average global life expectancy reached almost 73 years in 2019, up almost 9 years since 1990

COVID-19 pushed life expectancy down by nearly 2 years, but it is projected to keep rising

The world's population is aging, with one in ten people now 65 or older, projected to be one in six by 2050

This will put a greater burden on the young

Our growing population puts increasing pressure on resources like food, water, energy and infrastructure

These huge issues for society have lasting implications for our planet

Transcripts
Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: