On January 1, 2024, the global population will officially surpass 8 bn. This figure, released by the US Census Bureau, marks an increase of over 75.16 mn people in one year.
Dynamics of population growth
The global population clock has been ticking at a near-constant rate of 4.3 births and 2 deaths every second. While the growth rate has slightly decelerated compared to previous years, now hovering under 1%, the magnitude of the increase underscores the expanding human presence on the planet.
Role of science and public health
In November 2022, the U.N. estimated that the world population reached 8 bn people, 11 years after reaching the 7 bn milestone. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attributed this population growth to "scientific breakthroughs and improvements in nutrition, public health, and sanitation".
Future of population growth
Factors such as decreasing fertility rates and a smaller proportion of young people are expected to slow down the pace of population growth. The Census Bureau anticipates that achieving a global population of 9 bn will take slightly over 14 years. Furthermore, reaching the 10 bn mark is projected to take an additional 16.4 years, reflecting a decelerating growth rate.
Impact of Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on population growth. Global life expectancy at birth fell to 71 years in 2021, and countries have experienced unequal recovery from the pandemic across the globe. The pandemic has resulted in an estimated 15 mn excess deaths in 2020 and 2021, which has had a significant impact on demographic trends.
Comments (0)