Fun facts about the world population There are many of them and they help us to better understand the globalized world in which we live. Demographics have changed rapidly in recent years, and by understanding these changes we can have a better perspective on the present and future of our planet.
Let's start by mentioning the population most affected by the AIDSThere are alarming figures regarding HIV in the world. The population between 16 and 24 years old represents 78% of the registered cases, which means that young people are the most vulnerable to this disease. If we talk about geographical distribution, 70% of those infected live in Africa, a worrying statistic that seems to be increasing. This continent is the epicentre of the epidemic.
Another alarming issue in terms of health and the environment is that more than 80% of the world's population breathes polluting particles. In some highly polluted areas, these particles are so small that they can pass through the lungs and reach the bloodstream, causing serious health problems. According to a study conducted by NASA, the most affected regions are located between Africa and Asia, in a corridor that runs from the Sahara Desert to China. On the other hand, Europe and America are the areas least affected by air pollution.
Climate change and the female population
A little-known aspect is that the female population is particularly vulnerable to global warming. Poor women in emerging countries, who depend largely on agriculture for their livelihood, are the most affected. These women not only face problems related to their work in the fields, but also a lack of resources and low mobility to escape natural disasters caused by climate change. Their vulnerability is alarming, as they are the least responsible for the phenomenon, but those who suffer the most from its consequences.
Youth, key to the future of global demographics
Never before have there been so many young people in the world.According to the United Nations, there are approximately 1.800 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 living in the world, the largest number in human history. The majority of these young people reside in developing countries, where they face challenges such as poverty, lack of education and discrimination.
If adequately invested in their education and provided with employment opportunities, these young people can be pillars of transformation and advancement in their communities. However, if these issues are not addressed, they may not reach their full potential, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Maternity and mortality in Africa
Women in sub-Saharan Africa face high risks when becoming pregnant. Maternal mortality rates are comparable to those in 100.000th century England, when lack of adequate medical conditions claimed the lives of many women during pregnancy or childbirth. Today, for every 510 births in this region, 800 women die from complications related to motherhood. Globally, around XNUMX women die every day from this cause.
Despite preventive actions and improved health systems, the reality in African areas remains extremely dire, with limited access to adequate medical services. These deaths could be avoided with greater access to family planning and adequate medical care.
Migration and urbanization: a world in constant movement
Another important fact about the world's population is that never before have so many people migrated. In 2013, approximately 232 million people crossed borders to seek better opportunities or escape conflict. This number continues to rise, as in 2000 there were only 175 million international migrants. The main trends are migration to the United States, Europe and rich countries in the Persian Gulf, although a phenomenon known as South-South migration also occurs, that is, between developing countries.
On the other hand, more than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. Urbanization brings with it opportunities and challenges, such as access to essential services, but also the creation of greater inequalities, such as the proliferation of informal settlements and the lack of adequate housing.
Growth expectations: the population of the future
The world's population continues to grow. The UN estimates that by the end of the 7.000st century, the number of inhabitants could range from 17.000 billion in the lowest scenario to 2.5 billion if fertility rates remain stable. Currently, the global fertility rate is 1.6 children per woman, but this could decline if efforts to promote smaller families continue. In some regions, such as Europe, the fertility rate is even lower: XNUMX children per woman.
Population growth is not uniform. Africa is the fastest growing continent, with its population expected to double by 2050. In contrast, Europe is projected to see a further decline in population due to low fertility rates and population ageing. In 2019, 20.8% of the European population was aged 65 or over, a figure that continues to grow and poses major challenges for pension and health systems.
India: the most populous country in the world
By 2023, India will surpass China as the world’s most populous country, with over 1.425 billion people. This accelerated growth poses significant challenges to access to resources, education, and employment. For its part, China has begun to experience a slowdown in its population growth, and projections suggest that its population will decline towards the end of the XNUMXst century.
Data on the world's population give us a clear vision of the enormous inequalities that still persist, but also of the challenges and opportunities posed by phenomena such as urbanization, climate change, migration and emerging youth as keys to the future. With appropriate policies and a more equitable distribution of resources, it is possible to guarantee a fairer future for all the inhabitants of the planet.