Population news
Milestones, research, and trends in human population — with context from the data.
World population reaches 8 billion
On 15 November 2022 the UN marked the symbolic crossing of 8 billion people — a milestone that took just 11 years to arrive from 7 billion, and reflects both falling death rates and a fertility decline that is still uneven across regions.
Read articleGlobal fertility rate edges closer to replacement level
The world average TFR has fallen to roughly 2.3, with more than half of all countries already below the 2.1 replacement threshold. A new Lancet study projects peak population before 2060 and a slow decline from there.
Read articleOne in six people will be over 65 by 2050
The UN's 2024 World Population Prospects confirmed a historic shift: the number of people aged 65 or older is set to outnumber children under five by 2050, reshaping labour markets, pension systems, and public health spending worldwide.
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