1. World Population Growth Through History12 11
2100 10 9
Modern
Age 8
Old
Stone
Bronze
Iron
Middle 7
Age
New Stone Age
Age
Age
Ages 6
2000
Future
Billions 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 (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 (2011)
14 (2027)
21 (2050)
Sources: First and second billion: Population Reference Bureau. Third through ninth billion: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision (medium scenario), 2005.

3. 10 Places With the Lowest Total Fertility Worldwide
Average number of children per woman,
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision, 2005.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.