Graphic detail | World population

The world in 2100

The world's population pyramid is changing shape

By The Economist online

The world's population pyramid is changing shape

THE world's population will reach 7 billion by the end of October, according to the latest projections from the United Nations. For the first time the UN has attempted to look as far ahead as 2100, using various assumptions about how fertility and mortality rates might change over the years. The average of these estimates suggests that the global population will cross 10 billion by 2085. By 2100, 22.3% of people will be aged 65 or over, up from just 7.6% in 2010. The bulk of population growth is expected to come from the developing world. Africa's population will rise from 1 billion in 2010 to 3.6 billion in 2100. In 1950, 32% of the world's people lived in today's rich countries. By 2100, only 13% will.

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