Africa leads people growth

Aug 16, 2017

The world population will reach 9,8-billion in 2050, up 31% from an estimated 7,5-billion now. Africa’s population will more than double to 2,6-billion and account for more than half (57%) of the global population increase.
This is according to projections included in the 2017 World Population Data Sheet from the Population Reference Bureau (PRB).
The number of people in Asia will rise about 750-million to 5,2-billion, while Europe (including all of Russia) is headed for a population decline from 745-million to 736-million.
The population of the Americas is seen increasing to 1,2-billion from 1-billion now, and Oceania (which includes Australia and New Zealand) would rise from 42-million to 63-million.
The Data Sheet’s 2050 population projections indicate that:
* India will be the world’s most populous country with 1,7-billion people, with China in second place at 1,3-billion. Currently China is at 1,39-billion, compared with 1,35-billion in India.
* India will also register the largest numerical increase in population of any country, adding 323-million people by 2050. Nigeria will post the second-largest rise at 220-million, followed by Democratic Republic of Congo at 134-million.
* Thirty-nine countries will have smaller populations in 2050 than in 2017. China will register the largest numerical population decrease of 44-million, followed by Japan at 25-million and Ukraine at 9-million.
* The populations of 30 countries, nearly all in Africa, will at least double by 2050.
* The population of the US will be 397-million, up from 325-million today.
This year’s Data Sheet includes a special focus on the world’s youth. Here are a few key figures:
* The world youth population (ages 15 to 24) is projected to rise to 1,4-billion in 2050 from 1,2-billion now but the youth share of world population will fall to 14% from 16%.
* Africa’s youth population will rise to 35% of the world youth total in 2050, from 20% today.
* Ethiopia currently has the highest share of youth population at 21,8% while Bulgaria has the lowest share at 9,1%.
* The global adolescent fertility rate (ages 15 to 19) is 50 births per 1 000 women, compared to only 16 per 1 000 in more-developed countries and 54 per 1 000 in less-developed countries.