U.S. Census Bureau: World Population Approaches 7 Billion

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
World population is projected to reach 7 billion in 2012,
according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The world population hit 6
billion in 1999.

These figures come from the updated world population estimates and
projections released today through the Census Bureau's International
Data Base (IDB). The IDB provides information on population size and
growth, age and sex composition, mortality, fertility and net
migration. The data are available for 226 countries and other selected
geographies.

This revision to the IDB includes updated projections for 34
countries. Compared to previous estimates, this revision indicates
that the world population will be 146 million larger in 2050.

The Census Bureau's latest projections show world population
growing at a slower pace during the first half of the 21st century
than the latter half of the 20th century. The world population doubled
from 3 billion in 1959 to 6 billion in 1999, but is projected to
increase by only 50 percent between 1999 and 2040.

Global population growth, about 1.2 percent per year, is projected
to decline to 0.5 percent by 2050. However, this growth will be
concentrated in less-developed countries.

About 1.5 percent of the current global population is 80 or older,
with more than half living in developed countries. By 2050, about 5
percent of the world's population is projected to be 80 or older, with
about three in four likely to be living in less-developed countries.
For developed countries, the percentage of the population 80 or older
will grow to about 10 percent in 2050.

World population estimates and projections include the impact of
HIV and AIDS. Of the 34 countries updated in this revision, nine are
hard hit by this pandemic (Benin, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast),
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the
Central African Republic). Data for other countries seriously affected
by HIV and AIDS are also available from the International Data Base.

The International Data Base offers online users a choice of ways
to retrieve demographic data, including:

-- Country summary pages showing key population indicators
(http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/summaries.html)

-- Tables of demographic indicators for countries and regions
(http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/tables.html)

-- Population pyramids showing age and sex composition
(http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/pyramids.html).

For more information about this update, including the list of
updated countries, visit
http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/idbr2008b.html

Editor's note: The information can be accessed at
http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/.

U.S. Census Bureau
Tom Edwards
Public Information Office
301-763-3030
301-763-3762 (fax)
301-457-1037 (TDD)
pio@census.gov

Copyright Business Wire 2008