The world population has now reached 8 billion!

Eight billion! That’s the number of humans estimated to be alive on Earth. On November 15, 2022, the world’s population reached this milestone, according to a United Nations projection. In addition to being a cause for celebration, the 8 billion milestone also carries important responsibilities and highlights related challenges for social and economic development and environmental sustainability.

Although the world population continues to grow, the growth rate is slowing. Current projections predict that the world population will peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s and remain stable until 2100. Previously, the UN had predicted that the world population could reach 11.2 billion by 2100, based on the population growth rate in 2017.

In the coming decades, migration is expected to be the sole driver of population growth in high-income countries, according to the World Population Prospects 2022 report published by the UN. Additionally, the population of 61 countries is projected to decline by 1% or more between now and 2050. In lower-income countries, population growth is expected to continue to be driven by more births than deaths.

While rapid population growth in developing countries can intensify climate disasters, it is important to note that the most developed countries, whose per capita consumption of material resources is generally the highest, bear the greatest responsibility for implementing strategies. to decouple human activity from environmental degradation.