Mapping global population and the future of the world

The Economist

26 Jul 201802:46

Summary

TLDRThe global population is on the rise, with Africa and Asia experiencing the fastest growth, set to dominate the list of most populous countries by 2050. India is poised to surpass China, while Nigeria is on track to become the third most populous nation. Despite the benefits of a growing workforce, challenges arise with increased housing, education, and food demands. Simultaneously, Eastern Europe faces population decline due to low birth rates, high mortality, and migration, signaling a shift in global dynamics.

Takeaways

🌏 The world's population has doubled in the past four decades, reaching 7.6 billion people and is expected to increase by another billion by 2030.
📈 Population growth is not uniform across continents; Africa and Asia are experiencing the fastest growth rates.
🏆 By 2050, eight of the ten most populous countries will be in Africa and Asia, with India projected to overtake China as the most populous nation.
🇳🇬 Nigeria's population is growing rapidly and is on track to become the third most populous country in the world.
👶 In many African countries, the average number of children per woman is significantly higher than the global average, with Niger having the highest at seven children per woman.
💉 Population growth is also due to increased life expectancy, which has nearly doubled or even tripled in some countries over the last century.
🇯🇵 Japan's population is expected to shrink by about one third in the next 50 years, reflecting a trend in population decline.
📉 The top 10 countries with the fastest shrinking populations are in Eastern Europe, due to low birth rates, high mortality rates, and significant out-migration.
🌐 As populations shift, the economic and social structures of the world will change, with developed countries focusing more on supporting the elderly and less developed countries experiencing transformation from population booms.
🔮 By 2100, it is projected that one third of the world's population will live in Africa, indicating a significant demographic shift.
🏗️ A larger population presents both challenges, such as the need for more housing, education, and food, and opportunities, such as a potential boost to the economy if there are sufficient jobs and infrastructure.

Q & A

What has happened to the world's population over the past four decades?
-The world's population has doubled in just four decades, reaching 7.6 billion people.
What is the expected global population by 2030?
-The global population is expected to increase by a billion more people by 2030.
Which continents are experiencing the fastest population growth?
-The fastest population growth is occurring in Africa and Asia.
Which country is expected to have the largest population by 2050?
-India is set to overtake China as the country with the largest population by 2050.
Which country is projected to become the world's third most populous country?
-Nigeria is projected to become the world's third most populous country.
What is the average number of children per woman in many African countries?
-In many African countries, women have on average five children each.
What is the average number of children per woman in Niger?
-In Niger, the average number of children per woman is seven.
How has life expectancy changed in the last century?
-Life expectancy has almost doubled in some countries in the last century, and in India, it has almost tripled.
Which countries are experiencing population decreases?
-Japan and many Eastern European countries are experiencing population decreases.
What are the factors contributing to the population decrease in Eastern Europe?
-The population decrease in Eastern Europe is due to a low birth rate, a relatively high mortality rate, and massive out migration.
How is the population expected to shift by 2100?
-By 2100, it's projected that one third of all people will live in Africa.
What challenges and opportunities does a larger population present?
-A larger population presents challenges such as more people to house, educate, and feed, but also opportunities for economic growth if there are enough jobs and strong infrastructure.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Global Population Growth Dynamics

The script discusses the rapid global population growth, which has doubled in the past four decades to reach 7.6 billion. It highlights the uneven distribution of this growth, with Africa and Asia experiencing the fastest rates, and predicts significant shifts in the most populous countries by 2050. India is expected to overtake China, and Nigeria is on track to become the third most populous nation. The script also addresses the high fertility rates in African countries, the global average of 2.4 children per woman, and the aging populations contributing to growth. Life expectancy improvements, particularly in India, are noted, alongside the contrasting population decline in Japan and Eastern European countries due to low birth rates, high mortality, and migration.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Population Growth

Population growth refers to the increase in the number of people living in a particular area over a certain period. It is a central theme of the video, highlighting the rapid increase in the world's population from 3.8 billion to 7.6 billion in just four decades. The script emphasizes the varying rates of growth across continents, particularly in Africa and Asia, and predicts further growth by 2030.

💡Africa

Africa is highlighted as a continent experiencing the fastest population rises. The video script points out that Africa will have eight of the 10 most populous countries by 2050, with Nigeria set to become the world's third most populous country. This underscores the significant demographic shifts occurring in the region.

💡Asia

Asia is another continent experiencing rapid population growth. The script mentions that India is set to overtake China as the country with the largest population, indicating the importance of Asia in the global demographic landscape.

💡Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is the average number of years a person is expected to live, which has nearly doubled in some countries over the last century. The video script uses India as an example where life expectancy has almost tripled, contributing to population growth due to fewer deaths compared to births.

💡Fertility Rate

Fertility rate is the average number of children born per woman. The script notes that in many African countries, women have on average five children each, with Niger having a rate of seven children per woman, which is significantly above the global average of 2.4.

💡Aging Population

An aging population refers to a demographic trend where the median age of a population increases over time. The video script mentions that populations are rising because they are aging, which is a result of people living longer and having fewer children.

💡Population Decline

Population decline is the opposite of population growth, where the number of people in an area decreases over time. The script uses Japan as an example, forecasting its population to shrink by about one third in the next 50 years, illustrating the demographic challenges faced by some countries.

💡Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is identified in the script as a region with the fastest shrinking populations, due to a combination of low birth rates, high mortality rates, and significant out-migration. This highlights the demographic challenges and economic implications for these countries.

💡Developed Economies

Developed economies are nations with a high standard of living, advanced technological infrastructure, and high per capita income. The video script suggests that these economies will increasingly focus on supporting the elderly as their populations age.

💡Less Developed Countries

Less developed countries are those with lower standards of living and less advanced economies compared to developed nations. The script indicates that these countries will be transformed by population booms, which can be both a challenge and an opportunity for economic growth.

💡Working Age Population

The working age population consists of individuals who are typically between the ages of 15 and 64 and are capable of working. The video script suggests that a large working age population can boost the economy, provided there are sufficient jobs and strong infrastructure to support them.

Highlights

The world's population has doubled in the past four decades, reaching 7.6 billion.

A projection indicates an additional billion people by 2030.

Population growth is not uniform across continents, with Africa and Asia experiencing the fastest rises.

By 2050, eight of the 10 most populous countries will be in Africa and Asia.

India is predicted to surpass China as the most populous country.

Nigeria's rapidly growing population is set to make it the third most populous country globally.

The average number of children per woman in many African countries is five, with Niger at seven.

The global average is 2.4 children per woman, significantly lower than in some African nations.

Populations are increasing due to aging, with more births than deaths.

Life expectancy has nearly doubled in the last century in some countries, almost tripled in India.

In contrast, populations are decreasing in parts of the world, such as Japan, which is expected to shrink by one third in 50 years.

Eastern European countries are experiencing the fastest shrinking populations due to low birth rates, high mortality rates, and out-migration.

Shifting populations will alter the world's economic landscape, with developed economies focusing on elderly support and less developed countries impacted by population booms.

By 2100, it is projected that one third of the global population will reside in Africa.

A larger population presents both challenges, such as housing and feeding more people, and opportunities, like a boosted economy with a strong workforce.

The potential economic boost from a large working-age population hinges on job availability and robust infrastructure.