As big as the population growth seems, it’s actually slowing down, say experts (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
In just seven days the world’s total population will hit eight billion — but don’t worry too much about it, stress experts.
On November 15, you and some 7,999,999,999 Earthlings might feel a tad claustrophobic as the global headcount officially triples what it was in 1950.
This major milestone reflects ever-growing life expectancy according to the UN’s World Population Prospects 2022 report released today.
For those eager for a little breathing room, don’t read ahead: The population will swell to 8,500,000,000 in 2030, 9,700,000,000 by 2050 before peaking at 10,400,000,000 by the 2080s.
More than half of the projected population spurts will be felt in eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The UN Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs added that India is projected to surpass China as the most populated country next year.
By next week there might be less chance of getting a seat on the Tube (Picture: Getty Images)
China’s 1,400,000,000 population will eventually fall to 1,300,000,000 by 2050, the UN added.
This comes as the average worldwide life expectancy has increased by nine years since 1990, now 72.8 years and is expected to stretch to 77.2 years by 2050.
But as big as these numbers seem, the population clock is actually ticking at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen under 1% in 2020 as fertility rates slow.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: ‘This year’s World Population Day falls during a milestone year when we anticipate the birth of the Earth’s eight billionth inhabitant.
‘This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, recognize our common humanity, and marvel at advancements in health that have extended lifespans and dramatically reduced maternal and child mortality rates.
António Guterres said hitting the eight billion mark is a mixed blessing (Picture: Anadolu)
‘At the same time, it 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 one another.’
But the big question remains: are there too many people on Earth, especially amid climate change?
Experts say this is the wrong question that needs to be asked. Overpopulation isn’t the problem, they say, it’s overconsumption.
UN Population Fund chief Natalia Kanem told AFP: ‘I realise this moment might not be celebrated by all.
‘Some express concerns that our world is overpopulated. I am here to say clearly that the sheer number of human lives is not a cause for fear.’
In agreement is Jennifer Sciubba, a researcher at the think-tank Wilson Center.
How wealthier countries gobble up the world’s limited amount of forests and land and spew out pollution is a far bigger problem than population, she said.
‘Our impact on the planet is driven far more by our behaviour than by our numbers,’ she told the news agency.
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‘It’s lazy and damaging to keep going back to overpopulation,’ she added.
‘Really, it’s us. It’s me and you, the air conditioning I enjoy, the pool I have outside, and the meat I eat at night that causes so much more damage.’
The US, for example, comprises less than 5% of the global population yet the nation produces 28% of carbon emissions, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
If everyone on the planet lived like the average American, we would need five Earths a year to sustain that level of consumption according to the WWF.
Today’s estimate was far higher than some previous predictions from the UN that placed the landmark occurring next year, while the US Census Bureau bet it wouldn’t be until 2026.
In 1981, UN officials predicted the world’s population would plateau at 10,500,000,000 billion by the year 2110.
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You might struggle to get a seat on the train now.
