Introduction
A teeming street in New Delhi reflects the growth of India's population, now 1.3 billion. The country is expected to surpass China as the world's most populous nation in about 2030. Population growth threatens economic progress in many developing countries, and demographers say Earth's population could rise to nearly 11 billion by 2100. (AFP/Getty Images/Raveendran)
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The world's population, now about 7.2 billion people, could rise to nearly 11 billion or more by 2100, according to some estimates, with nearly all the growth in developing countries. Agricultural specialists worry about how the planet would feed 4 billion more people, and environmentalists say humans already are consuming natural resources at unsustainable rates. Expanding populations also create social pressure, especially in fast-growing nations that cannot generate enough jobs for their citizens. In some regions, notably sub-Saharan Africa, population growth is slowing progress toward key development goals, such as expanding education and improving maternal and child health. To address these challenges, wealthy donors are stepping up efforts to provide family planning to all who want it, and many advocates are calling for greater focus on women's rights, including the right to decide whether and when to have children. But the Catholic Church and other conservative groups say global population policy is too focused on birth control and instead should emphasize valuing and protecting life and raising people out of poverty.
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Jun. 22, 2018 |
Global Population Pressures |
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Jan. 16, 2015 |
Global Population Growth |
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Nov. 16, 2012 |
Changing Demographics |
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Nov. 21, 2008 |
Declining Birthrates |
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Jul. 17, 1998 |
Population and the Environment |
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Jul. 16, 1993 |
Population Growth |
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Oct. 26, 1984 |
Feeding a Growing World |
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Aug. 02, 1974 |
World Population Year |
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Nov. 24, 1971 |
Zero Population Growth |
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Nov. 01, 1967 |
Population Profile of the United States |
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Aug. 15, 1962 |
Population Control |
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Jun. 13, 1952 |
Overpopulation |
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Mar. 10, 1930 |
Population Problems |
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