WASHINGTON: The global population has officially surpassed the 8 billion mark, according to the US Census Bureau, signifying a significant milestone driven by longer lifespans despite a notable slowdown in birth rates.
While the Census Bureau estimates the world population crossed this threshold on September 26, 2022, the United Nations had previously declared November 22, 2022, as the “Day of 8 Billion,” emphasizing the challenges in uniform global counting methods.
The discrepancy in estimates arises from variations in how countries conduct population counts, with some nations lacking comprehensive systems for recording births and deaths. Notably, populous countries such as India and Nigeria have not conducted censuses for over a decade, contributing to the disparity in reported figures.
Although global population growth has remained substantial, increasing from 6 billion to 8 billion since the turn of the millennium, the rate has exhibited a deceleration compared to the earlier period of doubling between 1960 and 2000. A significant factor contributing to recent population growth is the increasing longevity of people. The global median age, currently at 32, is anticipated to rise to 39 by 2060.
Global Population
Countries like Canada have experienced population aging, with declining mortality rates among older age groups. Meanwhile, nations like Nigeria have witnessed substantial reductions in child mortality rates under the age of 5.
Fertility rates, measured as the average number of births per woman of childbearing age, are undergoing a declining trend, falling below replacement levels in many regions. The replacement level, requiring a minimum of 2.1 births per woman for a neutral world population, is being surpassed by only a few countries, including India, Tunisia, and Argentina.
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Approximately 15% of the global population resides in areas with fertility rates below replacement level, encompassing countries such as Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Sweden. Nations with very low fertility rates, including China, South Korea, and Spain, fall within this category.
A notable 4% of the world’s population resides in countries with fertility rates exceeding 5, with all these nations situated in Africa. Projections by the Census Bureau indicate a continued decline in global fertility rates through 2060, with no country expected to have a rate exceeding 4 by that time.
