India will become the most populous country, overtaking China, by 2023

July 11 (EUROPA PRESS) –

India is set to become the world’s most populous country, overtaking China, by 2023, with the world population expected to reach 8 billion people by November 2022 despite a fertility rate at record lows, according to data provided by India. United Nations.

These estimates come after the COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly six million deaths worldwide, while armed conflicts, violence and persecution have caused the forced displacement of one hundred million people.

To these tragedies must be added the effect of climate change in the areas most affected by environmental disasters, and the rejection of women’s rights, which, in certain parts of the world, “continues to threaten life, dignity, freedom and the well-being of women and girls.

“Let’s focus on every person. On ensuring that our world can meet our needs and those of future generations. On the protection of Human Rights and the ability of all people to make informed decisions about whether and when to have children. On not leaving nobody behind,” said the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, on his official Twitter profile.

For her part, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Natalia Kanem, has assured that “a resilient world of 8,000 million people”, which “defends individual rights and choices”, offers “infinite possibilities To thrive”.

According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, although the rate of world population growth will continue to slow in the coming decades, the world population is likely to be 20 to 30 percent higher in 2050 than in 2020.

The world population is projected to peak at about 10.4 billion in 2080 and remain there until 2100. Of the total world population, half belongs to the demographic expansion of Asia, while Africa made the second largest contribution. , with almost 400 million.

Likewise, according to the data provided by a study carried out by UNFPA, only ten countries contributed to more than half of the population growth, going from 7,000 to 8,000 million. India is by far the largest contributor, followed by China and Nigeria.

On the other hand, Africa and Asia will drive population growth to reach 9 billion in 2037. Currently, two-thirds of the world’s population lives in a country or area where fertility stands at an average of 2.1 children per woman.