By TIOL News Service

NEW YORK, JUNE 18, 2019: THE United Nation's annual report on World Population Prospects which released yesterday, stated that in little more than a decade, there were likely to be about 8.5 Billion people on the planet. Further estimates predicted 10 Billion people by 2050, compared to the 7.7 Billion as of today. In general, the report mentioned that a few of the countries would account for most of the population boost and that while some nations' populace would grow rapidly, others would see their populations decline. It was also stated that the world was growing older as global life expectancy continued to rise and fertility levels continued to fall. In consequence, such changes in population would affect the ability of nations to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Some of the key findings of the report include -

++ The largest increases in population between 2019 and 2050 would take place in: India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Indonesia, Egypt and the United States of America (in descending order of the expected increase). Around 2027, India is projected to overtake China as the world's most populous country.

++ Many of the fastest growing populations are in the poorest countries, where population growth brings additional challenges in the effort to eradicate poverty (SDG 1), achieve greater equality (SDGs 5 and 10), combat hunger and malnutrition (SDG 2), and strengthen the coverage and quality of health and education systems.

++ Since 2010, 27 countries or areas have experienced a reduction in the size of their populations of one per cent or more. This is caused by low levels of fertility and, in some places, high rates of emigration. Between 2019 and 2050, populations are projected to decrease by one per cent or more in 55 countries or areas, of which 26 may see a reduction of at least ten per cent. In China, for example, the population is projected to decrease by 31.4 million, or 2.2 per cent, between 2019 and 2050.

++ In most of sub-Saharan Africa, and in parts of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, recent reductions in fertility have caused the population at working ages (25-64 years) to grow faster than at other ages, creating an opportunity for accelerated economic growth. To benefit from this “demographic dividend”, governments should invest in education and health, especially for young people, and create conditions conducive to sustained economic growth.

++ The potential support ratio, which compares numbers of working-age people aged 25-64 to those over age 65, is falling around the world. In Japan, this ratio is 1.8, the lowest in the world. An additional 29 countries, mostly in Europe and the Caribbean, already have potential support ratios below three. By 2050, 48 countries, mostly in Europe, Northern America, and Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, are expected to have potential support ratios below two. These low values underscore the potential impact of population ageing on the labour market and economic performance as well as the fiscal pressures that many countries would face in the coming decades as they seek to build and maintain public systems of health care, pensions and social protection for older persons.