Washington : On the occasion of World Population Day, the United Nations said on Monday that the world population is projected to reach 8 billion on November 15 and India is projected to overtake China as the most populous country in 2023. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “This is a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and a moment to reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to each other.”
According to the World Population Prospect 2022, the growth rate has been the slowest since 1950, falling to less than 1 percent in 2020. The report states that the world population is expected to grow to about 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050 and around 10.4 billion during 2080 and countries in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to contribute more than half by 2050. Projected growth by 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries. These countries are- Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines and Tanzania.
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What are the disadvantages of population growth?
Liu Genmin, UN Additional Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said: “Rapid population growth makes poverty alleviation, in the face of hunger and malnutrition, and the coverage of health and education systems more difficult. Conversely, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health, education and gender equality, would contribute to lower fertility levels and slowing global population growth.
Population of 61 countries may decrease
Fertility has declined significantly in recent decades in many countries, the report said, noting that two-thirds of the global population today lives in a country or region with lifetime fertility rates per woman. 2.1 is low at birth, the level required for almost zero growth. It said the population of 61 countries or territories is projected to decrease by 1 percent or more between 2022 and 2050, due to continued low levels of fertility and, in some cases, high rates of emigration.
The number of elderly will increase in 2050
It said the share of the global population 65 and over is projected to increase from 10 percent in 2022 to 16 percent in 2050. “Countries with aging populations should take steps to adapt public programs to a growing proportion of older persons, including improving the stability of social security and pension systems and the establishment of universal health care and long-term care systems,” the report said. .
Average global longevity estimated to be 77.2
Average global longevity is projected to be around 77.2 years in 2050, with a further reduction in mortality, as global life expectancy seen at 72.8 years in 2019. It improved in about nine years since 1990. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global life expectancy was reduced to 71 years in 2021 and life expectancy in the least developed countries fell seven years behind the global average. Since the year 1990, World Population Day has been celebrated on 11 July to raise awareness about the issues related to population growth around the world.