By November 15, it is expected that eight billion people will live in the world, the United Nations predicts. The population is growing more slowly and is expected to decline from 2100 onwards. For 2023, forecasts show that the Indian population will overtake the Chinese. Most growth is expected on the African continent.
According to the German Foundation for the World Population, about 1.4 billion people currently live there. By 2050, that should be around 2.5 billion. More than half of all newborns come from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Algeria or Sudan. According to the director of the UN population division, high birth rates have both advantages and disadvantages. Fewer offspring increases the attention per child, for example in the field of education and poverty reduction, according to John Wilmoth. At the same time, the population as a whole is getting older and a larger part is dependent on the help of young people. The UN estimates that life expectancy will increase from 72.8 years (2019) to 77.2 years (2050).
Only child generations in China
One country that is rapidly aging is China. The one-child policy that has been in effect for decades is still in effect after the controversial restriction was lifted in 2016. Couples who grew up as only children would consider it normal to have only one child, experts say. The number of new births is therefore relatively low. Other reasons are high costs for housing, education and health. In a few years, the population of billions (1.4 billion) is expected to shrink, and India is expected to have more inhabitants in the coming year. With more than 1.3 billion inhabitants, the South Asian country is currently the second most populous country in the world. The population of India is relatively young, Indian women have an average of two children. 60 years ago, that was about six children per woman, raising fears of supply problems.
decline in Japan and Germany
The population will also decline in higher-income countries, according to the United Nations. Examples are Japan and Germany. It is expected that from 2100, with the exception of Africa, the world population in general will shrink. However, this forecast should be treated with caution, as there is much more uncertainty in the time frame than in the next 30 or 40 years, Wilmoth warned.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
