During the last 40 years world population growth has slowed down, and is likely to continue doing so. The world population has grown by nearly 2 and one half times since 1950 and passed the 6 billion mark in 1999 with a peak annual increment of 86 million persons during the period 1985-1990. Yet the annual increment to the world population is still 77 million during 2000-2005. Total world population is projected to reach more than 10 billion by 2100. Although the world population will still be growing at that time, both the growth rate and the annual addition to population numbers will be substantially lower than they are today.

Source: UN Population Division and Statistics Division, 2005

However, according to UN estimates, it will take until the middle of next century before the impact of the post-World War II population explosion loosens, and current trends have notable effects on total population. By the end of next century, UN experts expect world population to stabilize between 11 and 12 billion people. Third world countries will account for more than 90% of world population growth. In the developed regions, the changing age structure within an almost stable population will constitute the main problem rather than growth. Visit our statistic section on ageing and urban/rural population.

Source: 2005 Population Division and Statistics Division of the United Nations Secretariat