Some time yesterday the Earth’s population passed 8 billion, according to the United Nations. It means the number of people in the world has more than tripled in the past 70 years and comes only 11 years after the figure hit 7 billion.
The UN attributes the growth to human development, with people living longer thanks to improvements in nutrition, personal hygiene, and medicine.
Improvements in public health have also led to longer lifespans. Women, on average, are doing better on that score than men. Women born in 2019 had an average life expectancy of 73.8 years, whereas for men it was 68.4 years.
By 1804 the population reached a billion, but it really took off during the 20th century: from 1.6 billion to 5 billion by 1987,
and 6 billion by 1998. It projected the world’s population will reach around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4
billion in 2100.
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2022 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2022 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Ireland hold off Argentina fightback in narrow victory
Ireland survived a major scare as they kickstarted their autumn campaign by holding off a spirited Argentina side to return to winning ways with an unconvincing 22-19 victory in Dublin.
Revamped England hope to disrupt mighty Springboks
The mixed memories of an enchanting Paris evening cut short have swirled in English heads for 13 months.
England find a new way to play... without their captain
Once again, Harry Kane is the first name on the England football team teamsheet.
EU allies are impatient for Brexit reset, Starmer is told
Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to step up his plans for a postBrexit reset of relations with the European Union after an unprecedented warning from the Bank of England.
Cop climate talks no longer fit for purpose, say experts
Former high-ranking UN officials have written an open letter calling for a complete overhaul of the Cop talks, stating that the process is \"no longer fit for purpose\" in dealing with a rapidly intensifying climate crisis.
Ukraine will have to pay the price for Putin and Trump's delusions about one another
Tom Watling speaks to US and British former officials about the overconfidence of the president-elect and Russia's leader
Iran 'won't block Lebanon' in ceasefire talks with Israel
Iran will back any decision taken by Lebanon in talks to secure a ceasefire with Israel, a senior Iranian official has said, signalling Tehran wants to see an end to a conflict that has dealt heavy blows to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.
RFK Jr faces pushback to nomination from the right
Robert F Kennedy Jr is facing criticism from proand antiabortion activists, arguing he is not a conviction politician
Met Office says winter is coming with 20cm of snow
The Met Office has issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for this weekend and the start of next week.
Five guilty of killing teens in mistaken identity case
A man and four teenagers were found guilty yesterday of murdering two boys in a case of mistaken identity in a botched revenge attack.
