How many people are there in the world?

We review the data on population dynamics in the world and by continent.

Recently, the development of global policies and actions have been organized around one main question: how many people are there in the world? The answer to this question also raises other questions: where are they concentrated, where are they not, how much world population will there be in the long term? Y... How will we face the challenges that this implies?

In other words, analyzing this has been important for estimating some of the challenges and scopes of political organization. challenges and scopes of political and economic organization today.. The following is a review of the most recent estimates and analyses made by the United Nations (UN).

How many people are there in the world according to the UN?

One of the great tasks of the United Nations has been to estimate how many people there are in the world today, and how many there will be in the medium and long term. how many people there are in the world today, and how many there will be in the medium and long term, so that the objectives and implementation of social and economic policies at the international level can be properly designed., so that it is possible to adequately design the objectives and implementation of social and economic policies at the international level.

In the latest demographic report, dated June 2017, the UN has estimated that the current world population is 7.6 billion people, a figure that maintains an upward trend despite the steady decline in fertility levels in several regions.

By 2030, the world population is expected to reach 8.6 billion people. By 2050 it will be 9.8 billion and by 2100 it will reach 11.2 billion. In other words, according to the UN, the population will increase by approximately 83 million people per year..

Likewise, given the downward trend in fertility levels, it is expected that population growth will slow down. However, this creates another challenge because there is also an upward trend in the aging of the population, largely due to the fact that life expectancy has increased from 65 to 69 years for men and from 69 to 73 for women. This is one of the one of the particularly important challenges for health and social protection policies..

Today's most populous countries

It is not only important to know the current population figures, but also the trends in population growth or decline. population growth or decline trends among different countries in the medium term, so that it is in the medium term, so that it is possible to take the necessary measures in the face of the challenges ahead.

It is estimated that approximately 60% of the world's population currently lives in Asia, 16% in Africa, 10% in Europe, 9% in Latin America and the Caribbean, and only 5% in North America and Oceania. Today, China and India are the countries with the largest populations (19% and 18% of the total), although it is estimated that by 2024, India will overtake China.

Another interesting fact is that Nigeria, one of the 10 most populated countries, will surpass the population of the United States in 2050, thanks to the great speed at which it is growing. In fact, Africa is the fastest growing continent.

It is also the fastest growing continent in the world, it is predicted that population growth will soon be concentrated in the poorest countries.This also represents an enormous challenge for social development, but the UN remains optimistic: survival conditions in all countries are expected to improve considerably in the coming years.

Population growth and decline by region

According to UN figures, the world population is expected to increase by more than 1 billion people in the next 15 years. These figures are indicative and based on an average fertility projection, which compares the decline in fertility rates which compares declining fertility rates in countries where large families still exist with countries where the average has stabilized at two children per woman.

Upward trend: Africa

Although there is great uncertainty about fertility trends in Africa in the coming years, it is expected that the continent will continue to grow rapidly (especially in its major regions), due to the large number of young people concentrated in these places.

This is how Africa will be one of the key players in global dimensions and distribution in the short term; which also means that Asia will move into second place as the continent with the highest population growth rates..

Significant decline in Europe

At the other end of the spectrum, the population whose rate is declining is Europe. In 48 of the European regions, the population is predicted to be declining significantly, and this will be particularly noticeable from this year onwards and by 2050.

This is because the fertility rates in this region are far below what is necessary to maintain population growth in the long term, making it difficult to replace generations of inhabitants in many years. generations of inhabitants could hardly be replaced for many years to come..

For several decades, the replacement fertility rate in Europe (the term used to describe the minimum fertility figures needed to maintain the population over time, without considering migration) has been well below the necessary average of 2.1 children per woman.

However, in order to calculate or forecast population growth and settlements, these figures must also be considered in comparison to the average of 2.1 children per woman, However, in order to calculate or forecast population growth and settlement, these figures must also be considered in comparison with the mortality rate.. This is why even the very concept of "replacement fertility rate" has been much discussed by different experts, who consider it to be a criterion with little rigor.

The UN itself has identified three main elements in today's population growth, which in turn constitute a large part of the challenges for international social programs, as well as issues of global responsibility: the fertility rate, increased longevity and international migration.