The world's population has reached close to eight billion. Today, the world's population is over 7.95 billion. The world's population is projected to reach eight billion in four months.
On the occasion of World Population Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Sunday made public the fact that the world's population will reach eight billion on Kartik 29 (November 15). On July 11, 1987, the world's population was about five billion. Since 1989, the United Nations has observed July 11 as World Population Day. It has been celebrated in Nepal since the same year.
The slogan for this year's World Population Day is "Opportunity for a Bright Future with Ensuring the Choice and Rights of All Eight Billion People." According to the World Population Prospects 2022 released by the World Population Fund on Monday, the world's population will reach a record high of 10.4 billion in the 2080s and will remain at that level until 2100. It has been analyzed that the population has increased due to the increase in the average age and the declining infant and maternal mortality rate.
According to the fund, it took 12 years for the world's population to reach seven to eight billion and the same amount for six to seven billion. Looking at the current growth rate, it is estimated that it will take another 14 and a half years to add another billion. Half of the eight billion added to the world's population is the result of Asia's demographic expansion. Africa is the second-largest contributor. The continent has a population of 400 million. According to the world's population figures, 10 countries have contributed more than half to the population growth of seven to eight billion. India is the largest contributor to the growth, followed by China and Nigeria in second and third place, respectively, the fund said.
China currently has the largest population in the world at 1.45 billion, followed by India at 1.4 billion. The third has a population of 330 million in the United States, said Padma Prasad Khatiwada, an associate professor at the Central Department of Population Studies at Tribhuvan University. In 2023, India is projected to surpass China in terms of population. Africa and Asia will lead population growth to reach nine billion by 2037. Women give birth to about two-thirds of the world's population. The birth rate of a woman living in such a country or region is less than 2.1 per woman.
As the population grows, so do the challenges and opportunities, the United Nations says. Dr. Natalia Kanem, executive director of the United Nations Population Fund, said: "This is a success story, not a doomsday scenario. Despite the challenges, our world's history is still at a point where many people are living an educated and healthy life. ”
Stating that population is not only a problem but also a solution, Kanem said, "Experience shows that investing in citizens' rights and choices is the way to a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable society." The fund also claims that world poverty has been reduced and significant progress has been made in healthcare during this period.
However, the fund has warned to be vigilant as there are many challenges facing humanity. Generation-defined issues such as climate change, conflict, and Covid-19 are affecting the most marginalized and at-risk people, the fund said.
