With global population now exceeding 7 billion, National Geographic examined provided a broad overview of demographic trends that got us to today and will impact us tomorrow.
It was just over two centuries ago that the global population was 1 billion — in 1804. But better medicine and improved agriculture resulted in higher life expectancy for children, dramatically increasing the world population, especially in the West. U.N. forecasts suggest the world population could hit a peak of 10.1 billion by 2100 before beginning to decline.
A new infographic showed that as world population grows, its demographic makeup continues to change. In developed nations, longer life expectancy and lower fertility rates have already resulted in ageing populations. Developing countries are expected to follow this trend over the next 40 years as access to advanced healthcare, contraception and education increases.
Against the background of the world's population growing from 7 billion now to a projection of over 9 billion in 2050, a recent Economist report looked at ways to boost yields of the main crops, considers constraints of land and water and the use of fertiliser and pesticide, assesses biofuel policies and explains why technology matters so much. See also:< ...read more
