World population to reach 8 billion by January 1
What's the story
The United States (US) Census Bureau has revealed that the world's population grew by 75 million people this year and is set to reach over eight billion by New Year's Day.
With a global growth rate of just under 1%, demographer William Frey from The Brookings Institution suggests that the 2020s could be the slowest-growing decade in US history if this trend continues.
Details
Birth and death predictions for 2024
At the beginning of 2024, the US Census Bureau estimates that there will be 4.3 births and two deaths per second worldwide.
In the US, however, a birth is expected every nine seconds and a death every 9.5 seconds at the beginning of next year.
However, immigration will prevent the US population from declining, as net international migration is predicted to add one person to the US population every 28.3 seconds.
Projections
US population growth rate and projections
Last year, the US growth rate was 0.53%, nearly half the global total.
The population of the country increased by 1.7 million people, which is likely to bring its population to approximately 335.8 million by New Year's Day 2024.
Frey believes that growth might slightly increase as we move past the pandemic years, but it will still be challenging to surpass the current record for the slowest-growing decade, which stands at 7.3% following the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Population
In 2023, India overtook China in population
With a population of more than 1.43 billion, India surpassed China in 2023 to become the nation with the largest population worldwide.
China currently has the second-highest population, with slightly more than 1.4 billion people.
According to Statista, by the end of this century, there will be about 11 billion people on the planet.
The organization highlights that the world population is still growing because of better living conditions, sanitation, and healthcare.
Continent
Asia most populous continent, followed by Africa
In the same report, Statista reveals that with 11 of the world's 20 most populous countries situated there, Asia is the most populous continent.
With four times as many people as Africa, Asia dominates the global population ranking by continent.
It is interesting to note that Oceania has the fewest people on this list, placing the Americas behind both Africa and Europe.