The world’s population is expected to grow by over 2 billion people in the coming decades, peaking around 2080 at approximately 10.3 billion, a recent study said.
According to a report from the United Nations, this represents a significant shift from the demographic projections of the past decade.
Uneven global changes
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) report, released on World Population Day, notes that these population changes are uneven globally. While some regions are experiencing rapid population growth, others are seeing rapid aging of their populations. This uneven demographic landscape underscores the increasing importance of reliable, up-to-date population data.
Countries with peaked populations
The report indicates that as of 2024, population size has already peaked in 63 countries and areas, including China, Germany, Japan, and Russia. The total population of this group is projected to decline by 14 percent over the next 30 years.
Countries nearing population peaks
Another 48 countries, including Brazil, Iran, Turkey, and Vietnam, are expected to reach their population peaks between 2025 and 2054. The remaining 126 countries, including India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the United States, are projected to continue growing through 2054 and potentially peak in the second half of the century or later.
Rapid growth in select countries
Notably, 9 countries in this last group, such as Angola, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, and Somalia, are expected to see their populations double between 2024 and 2054 due to very rapid growth.
Read more: Dubai’s population soars to 3.6 million: How the city is preparing for the future
Shifting age demographics
The report also highlights a significant demographic shift expected by the late 2070s, when the number of people aged 65 and older will surpass the number of children under 18. Additionally, the number of people aged 80 and higher is projected to exceed the number of infants under 1 year old by the mid-2030s.
Even in countries with relatively young populations that are still experiencing rapid growth, the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to rise substantially over the next 30 years.
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