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Rapid World population growth affects climate and environment

According to the United Nation World Population Prospects 2022, published on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the world’s population has surpassed 8 billion people and will continue to expand for decades, likely around 10.4 billion by 2080. Global population reached 7 billion in 2011 and was estimated at 4 billion in 1974.

“The day of 8 billion is an important turning point and wake-up call and the largest generation in human history is coming of age right now. The reproductive decisions they make – and the opportunities, services and rights they can claim – will profoundly influence our global future” says Kathleen Mogeldaard, President and CEO of the United Nations Population Institute.

Population growth in the 20^th century reflects public health progress, which lowered infant and child mortality and extended people’ lives. But continued rapid growth would adversely affect people and the planet, stressing public health, the climate and environment, food security, water and infrastructure, and fueling civil conflict, displacement, and global inequity. These are challenges that will reverberate in every corner of the world. Today, hundreds of millions of people around the world lack reproductive autonomy. They are not free to decide whether, when, and with whom to become a parent. Half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended, a situation the United Nations Population Fund calls a neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy.

For further information please contact World Population Prospects 2022