1. World Population Growth Through History
Billions 12 11
2100 10 9
Modern
Age 8
Old
Stone
Bronze
Iron
Middle 7
Age
New Stone Age
Age
Age
Ages 6
2000
Future 5 4
1975 3
1950 2
1900 1
Black Death —
The Plague
1800
1+ million
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
A.D.
A.D.
A.D.
A.D.
A.D.
A.D.
years
B.C.
B.C.
B.C.
B.C.
B.C.
B.C.
B.C. 1
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
Source: Population Reference Bureau; and United Nations, World Population Projections to 2100 (1998).

2. World Population Growth, in Billions
Number of years to add each billion (year)
All of Human History
(1800)
130 (1930)
30 (1960)
15 (1975)
12 (1987)
12 (1999)
14 (2013)
14 (2027)
21 (2048)
Sources: First and second billion: Population Reference Bureau. Third through ninth billion: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

3. Annual Increase in World Population
Millions
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

4. Growth in More, Less Developed Countries
Billions
Less Developed Regions
More Developed Regions
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

5. Trends in Population Growth Worldwide
Population Increase and Growth Rate, Five-Year Periods
Percent increase per year
Millions
This figure illustrates the lag between changes in the rate of growth and the net increase in population per year.
Over the period , the population growth rate declined (a reflection of declining fertility), yet millions of people were added to the world’s population (which peaked around 1985, when 87 million people were added each year).
From 2000 on, the growth rate will continue to decline. Between 2015 and 2020, we will still be adding 72 million people each year. Why? Because the generation of women now having their children is very large as the result of high fertility in their mothers’ and grandmothers’ generations.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

6. Notes on Trends in Population Growth Worldwide
This figure illustrates the lag between changes in the rate of growth and the net increase in population per year.
Over the period , the population growth rate declined (a reflection of declining fertility), yet millions of people were added to the world’s population (which peaked around 1985, when 87 million people were added each year).
From 2000 on, the growth rate will continue to decline. Between 2015 and 2020, we will still be adding 72 million people each year. Why? Because the generation of women now having their children is very large as the result of high fertility in their mothers’ and grandmothers’ generations.

7. World Population Clock
2005
Natural Increase per
World
More Developed Countries
Less Developed Countries
Less Developed Countries (less China)
Year
80,794,218
1,234,907
79,559,311
71,906,587
Day
221,354
3,383
217,971
197,004
Minute
154 2
151
137
Source: Population Reference Bureau, 2005 World Population Data Sheet.

8. Projected Population Change, by Country
Percent Population Change,
Women worldwide are having fewer children in their lifetimes, from an average of five children born per woman in the 1950s to below three in 2000.
All of the most recent projections put forth by the UN assume that levels of childbearing will continue to decline in the next century.
Source: Population Reference Bureau, 2005 World Population Data Sheet.

9. The Classic Stages of Demographic Transition
Women worldwide are having fewer children in their lifetimes, from an average of five children born per woman in the 1950s to below three in 2000.
All of the most recent projections put forth by the UN assume that levels of childbearing will continue to decline in the next century.
Note: Natural increase is produced from the excess of births over deaths.

10. Birth and Death Rates, Worldwide
Rates of birth, death, and natural increase per 1,000 population
Natural Increase
Birth rates and death rates are declining around the world. Overall economic development, public health programs, and improvements in food production and distribution, water, and sanitation have led to dramatic declines in death rates. And women now have fewer children than they did in the 1950s.
Nevertheless, if death rates are lower than birth rates, populations will still grow.
Also, it is possible for absolute numbers of births to increase even when birth rates decline.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

11. Notes on Birth and Death Rates, Worldwide
Birth rates and death rates are declining around the world. Overall economic development, public health programs, and improvements in food production and distribution, water, and sanitation have led to dramatic declines in death rates. And women now have fewer children than they did in the 1950s.
Nevertheless, if death rates are lower than birth rates, populations will still grow.
Also, it is possible for absolute numbers of births to increase even when birth rates decline.

12. 10 Places With the Lowest Total Fertility Worldwide
Average number of children per woman,
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

13. Women of Childbearing Age
Number of Women 15 to 49
Billions
The number of women of childbearing age more than doubled between 1950 and 1990: from 620 million to over 1.3 billion.
Their numbers are expected to reach over 2 billion by the middle of this century, according to the UN’s medium projections.
The growing population of women in their childbearing years and their male partners will contribute to future world population growth, even if levels of childbearing continue to decline.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

14. Notes on Women of Childbearing Age
The number of women of childbearing age more than doubled between 1950 and 1990: from 620 million to over 1.3 billion.
Their numbers are expected to reach over 2 billion by the middle of this century, according to the UN’s medium projections.
The growing population of women in their childbearing years and their male partners will contribute to future world population growth, even if levels of childbearing continue to decline.

15. Women of Childbearing Age and Fertility
Worldwide
The number of women in their childbearing years has increased since the 1950s and is projected to continue to increase to 2050.
The number of children per woman has declined since the 1950s and is projected to continue to decline.
Even though women have on average fewer children than their mothers, the absolute number of babies being born continues to increase because of the increases in the total number of women of childbearing age.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

16. Notes on Women of Childbearing Age and Fertility
The number of women in their childbearing years has increased since the 1950s and is projected to continue to increase to 2050.
The number of children per woman has declined since the 1950s and is projected to continue to decline.
Even though women have on average fewer children than their mothers, the absolute number of babies being born continues to increase because of the increases in the total number of women of childbearing age.

17. Population in Countries With Low Fertility
Decline or Growth,
Percent
Country (average number of children per woman)
Thailand (1.7)
China (1.6)
Armenia (1.3)
Trinidad & Tobago (1.6)
All countries shown here have below “replacement level” childbearing —the level required for population to ultimately stop growing or declining. Yet, half will continue to grow and half are projected to decline by 2050.
This disparity is due to the effects of population momentum. In populations with a young age structure, even if fertility declines sharply, the numbers of children will continue to increase for a generation as the cohorts of young people pass through their reproductive years. Consequently, populations will continue to grow for decades even if fertility is instantly reduced to replacement level. On the other hand, some low-fertility countries are subject to negative population momentum. Their populations have aged enough to result in relatively small cohorts under age 30, and therefore even if fertility were to rise to replacement level, population size would decline for sometime.
Italy (1.3)
Russia (1.4)
Source: Population Reference Bureau, 2005 World Population Data Sheet.

18. Notes on Population in Countries With Low Fertility
All countries shown here have below “replacement level” childbearing—the level required for population to ultimately stop growing or declining. Yet, half will continue to grow and half are projected to decline by 2050.
This disparity is due to the effects of population momentum. In populations with a young age structure, even if fertility declines sharply, the numbers of children will continue to increase for a generation as the cohorts of young people pass through their reproductive years. Consequently, populations will continue to grow for decades even if fertility is instantly reduced to replacement level. On the other hand, some low-fertility countries are subject to negative population momentum. Their populations have aged enough to result in relatively small cohorts under age 30, and therefore even if fertility were to rise to replacement level, population size would decline for sometime.

19. Diverging Trends in Fertility Reduction
Average number of children per woman
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

20. Patterns of Fertility Decline
Average number of children per woman
Uganda
Kenya
Colombia
South Korea
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

21. Reaching Replacement Fertility
Average number of children per woman
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

22. Trends in Life Expectancy, by Region
Life Expectancy at Birth, in Years
In , infants born around the world can expect to live an average of 75 years — up ten years from today.
Africa will experience the largest increase in life expectancy: from 49 years to 65 years.
Life expectancy varies widely by region. In more developed countries, life expectancy averages 76 years, compared with only 49 years in Africa.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

23. Notes on Trends in Life Expectancy, by Region
In , infants born around the world can expect to live an average of 75 years — up ten years from today.
Africa will experience the largest increase in life expectancy: from 49 years to 65 years.
Life expectancy varies widely by region. In more developed countries, life expectancy averages 76 years, compared with only 49 years in Africa.

24. Trends in Urbanization, by Region
Urban Population
Percent
Currently, world regions differ greatly in their levels of urbanization. In more developed regions and in Latin America and the Caribbean, over 70 percent of the population is urban, whereas in Africa and Asia, under 40 percent of the population is urban. By 2030, however, the urban proportion of these two regions will exceed 50 percent.
By 2030, roughly 60 percent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas.
Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects: The 2003 Revision (medium scenario), 2004.

25. Notes on Trends in Urbanization, by Region
Currently, world regions differ greatly in their levels of urbanization. In more developed regions and in Latin America and the Caribbean, over 70 percent of the population is urban, whereas in Africa and Asia, under 40 percent of the population is urban. By 2030, however, the urban proportion of these two regions will exceed 50 percent.
By 2030, roughly 60 percent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas.

26. Largest Cities, Worldwide
Millions
The largest cities in the world are growing rapidly in size and they are shifting from the more developed regions to the less developed regions. In 1950 the three largest cities were in more developed countries; by 2000, only Tokyo remained in the top three.
In 1950, New York was the largest city in the world, with a population of about 12 million. By 2015, the largest city worldwide is projected to be Tokyo, with triple this population size: 36 million.
Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects: The 2003 Revision (medium scenario), 2004.

27. Notes on Largest Cities, Worldwide
The largest cities in the world are growing rapidly, and they are shifting from the more developed regions to the less developed regions. In 1950 the three largest cities were in more developed countries; by 2000, only Tokyo remained in the top three.
In 1950, New York was the largest city in the world, with a population of about 12 million. By 2015, the largest city worldwide is projected to be Tokyo, with triple this population size: 36 million.

28. Urbanization in Central America
Population Living in Urban Areas
Percent
Central American countries are urbanizing rapidly, at a pace similar to that of their South American neighbors 20 years earlier. Sixty percent or more of the population in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama is projected to be urban by 2010; the projection for Central America as a whole is 71 percent.
South America has nearly the highest rate of urbanization of any world region, projected to achieve 84 percent by 2010 (virtually tied with Northern Europe).
Source: United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects: The 2003 Revision (medium scenario), 2004.

29. Notes on Urbanization in Central America
Central American countries are urbanizing rapidly, at a pace similar to that of their South American neighbors 20 years earlier. Sixty percent or more of the population in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama is projected to be urban by 2010; the projection for Central America as a whole is 71 percent.
South America has nearly the highest rate of urbanization of any world region, projected to achieve 84 percent by 2010 (virtually tied with Northern Europe).

30. Age Distribution of the World’s Population
Population Structures by Age and Sex, 2005
Millions
Less Developed Regions
More Developed Regions
Age
0-4
Male
Female
Male
Female
Sex and age distributions show that less developed countries have significantly younger populations than more developed countries.
Almost one-third of the population in less developed countries is under age 15. In contrast, less than one-fifth of the population in more developed countries is under 15.
Today there are more than 2 billion young people below age 20 in less developed regions—the age cohort that will soon become the world’s newest group of parents.
Young age structures in the less developed countries are due mainly to higher levels of childbearing in recent decades.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

31. Notes on Age Distribution of the World’s Population
Sex and age distributions show that less developed countries have significantly younger populations than more developed countries.
Almost one-third of the population in less developed countries is under age 15. In contrast, less than one-fifth of the population in more developed countries is under 15.
Today there are more than 2 billion young people below age 20 in less developed regions—the age cohort that will soon become the world’s newest group of parents.
Young age structures in the less developed countries are due mainly to higher levels of childbearing in recent decades.

32. Trends in Aging, by World Region
Population Ages 65 and Older
Percent
By 2025, over 20 percent of the population in more developed regions will be ages 65 and older.
By 2025, one-tenth of the world’s population will be over age 65.
Asia will see the proportion of its elderly population almost double, from about 6 percent in 2000 to 10 percent in In absolute terms, this represents a stark increase in just 25 years: from about 216 million to about 480 million older people.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

33. Notes on Trends in Aging, by World Region
• By 2025, over 20 percent of the population in more developed regions will be ages 65 and older.
• By 2025, one-tenth of the world’s population will be over age 65.
• Asia will see the proportion of its elderly population almost double, from about 6 percent in 2000 to 10 percent in In absolute terms, this represents a stark increase in just 25 years: from about 216 million to about 480 million older people.

34. Women and Aging
Projected World Population, by Sex, at Specified Age Groups, 2025
Percent
The figure above depicts what demographers refer to as the feminization of aging. Although women make up half of world population, by the end of the next quarter century, they will account for more than half (54 percent) of people ages 60 and older, and 63 percent of very old people (80 and older).
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects:The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

35. Notes on Women and Aging
• The figure above depicts what demographers refer to as the feminization of aging. Although women make up half of world population, by the end of the next quarter century, they will account for more than half (54 percent) of people ages 60 and older, and 63 percent of very old people (80 and older).

36. Adult Literacy, by Region
Literacy Rates, by Sex,
Percent
Nearly all men and women in more developed regions can read and write.
However, literacy rates are lower in the less developed regions. Women’s literacy rates in particular vary significantly by region: from 53 percent in sub-Saharan Africa, to 73 percent in Asia, to 89 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Overall, more men than women are literate. This is especially striking in the Arab states, where more than three-fourths of men but about half of all women are literate.
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics: accessed online at on May 21, 2006.

37. Notes on Adult Literacy, by Region
Nearly all men and women in more developed regions can read and write.
However, literacy rates are lower in the less developed regions. Women’s literacy rates in particular vary significantly by region: from 53 percent in sub-Saharan Africa, to 73 percent in Asia, to 89 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Overall, more men than women are literate. This is especially striking in the Arab states, where more than three-fourths of men but about half of all women are literate.

38. Ratio of Workers to Dependents, by Region
Note: People 15 to 64 are considered to be workers; people 14 and younger and those over 65 are considered to be dependents.
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

39. Availability of Doctors, Selected Countries*
Physicians per 1,000 people
Population growth can affect a country’s capacity to address the health needs of its people through trained personnel and accessible health facilities.
Access to health services varies greatly from country to country. In Greece, for example, there are 4.4 doctors for every 1,000 people.
This is over 20 times higher than in Cambodia, which has only 0.2 doctors for every 1,000 people.
* Data are for the most recent year available for each country.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2006.

40. Notes on Availability of Doctors, Selected Countries
Population growth can affect a country’s capacity to address the health needs of its people through trained personnel and accessible health facilities.
Access to health services varies greatly from country to country. In Greece, for example, there are 4.4 doctors for every 1,000 people.
This is over 20 times higher than in Cambodia, which has only 0.2 doctors for every 1,000 people.