History of World population in Timeline
The global human population surpassed 8 billion in mid-November 2022, according to United Nations estimates. It took approximately 300,000 years for the population to reach one billion, and remarkably, only an additional 222 years to reach eight billion.
1900: Historical Population Data from UN Report
A table published using data from the UN report 'The World at Six Billion' provided population estimates from 1750 to 1900.
1900: Start of the 20th Century Population
At the start of the 20th century, the global population was approximately 1.6 billion. Factors like improved sanitation, medical advancements, and increased agricultural productivity contributed to population growth.
1900: European Population Growth and Global Share in 1900
By 1900, Europe's population had surged to over 400 million from around 100 million between 1700 and 1900, due to factors like the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. Consequently, people of European descent constituted 36% of the global population.
1900: Brazil's Population in 1900
In 1900, Brazil had a population of roughly 17 million, representing about 1% of the global population at that time.
1920: US Population Growth
The US experienced remarkable population growth, surging from about 5.3 million in 1800 to 106 million by 1920.
1927: World Population Reaches 2 Billion
In 1927, the world population reached 2 billion, 123 years after reaching 1 billion.
1941: Population of the Indian Subcontinent in 1941
By 1941, the population of the Indian subcontinent, which had been around 125 million in 1750, increased significantly to 389 million.
1950: Population Data from 1950 Onwards
From 1950 onwards, population data was sourced from a UN data sheet, contrasting with the earlier data from 'The World at Six Billion,' which covered the period from 1750 to 1900.
1950: Start of Period for UN's Birth and Death Rate Analysis
The year 1950 served as the starting point for the UN's initial analysis of global crude birth and death rates. The period 1950-1955 provided a baseline for comparing demographic trends over time.
1951: UN's First Report on Birth and Death Rates
The UN's inaugural report in 1951 revealed a crude birth rate of 36.9 per 1,000 people and a crude death rate of 19.1 per 1,000 during the period 1950-1955. This marked the beginning of the UN's systematic tracking and reporting of global vital statistics.
1951: Start of UN's World Population Projections
The year 1951 marked the beginning of the UN's efforts to project future world population trends. Since then, the UN has issued numerous projections based on varying assumptions, reflecting the complexities and uncertainties inherent in forecasting global population changes.
1953: China's Population Reaches 580 Million
China's population rose to 580 million in 1953, up from about 430 million in 1850.
1955: Start of Global Population Growth Peak
In 1955, the global population growth rate started to increase significantly, marking a period of rapid population expansion.
July 1959: Estimated Date for 3 Billion Population
The International Database of the United States Census Bureau estimates July 1959 as the month and year when the world population hit 3 billion.
1960: World Population Reaches 3 Billion
The global population reached 3 billion in 1960, only 33 years after reaching 2 billion.
1965: Sergey Kapitsa's Population Growth Formula
Russian demographer Sergey Kapitsa proposed a formula describing world population growth from 67,000 BC to 1965.
1965: Highest Global Population Growth Rate (Start)
The highest global population growth rate, exceeding 1.8% per year, occured between 1965 and 1970.
1965: Peak Population Growth Rate (1965-1970)
The period between 1965 and 1970 witnessed the peak of global population growth, reaching 2.1% annually.
1968: Peak Population Growth Rate
The year 1968 marked the highest point of the global population growth rate, after which it began a steady decline.
1970: End of Peak Population Growth Period
By 1970, the period of peak global population growth (2.1% annually, observed between 1965 and 1970) came to an end.
1970: Highest Global Population Growth Rate (End)
The peak growth rate of over 2.1% per year, observed between 1965 and 1970, concluded in 1970.
April 1974: Estimated Date for 4 Billion Population
According to the International Database of the United States Census Bureau, the world population reached 4 billion in April 1974.
1974: World Population Reaches 4 Billion
In 1974, the global population hit 4 billion, just 14 years after reaching 3 billion.
1975: End of Global Population Growth Peak
By 1975, the period of peak global population growth rate came to an end, with rates starting to decline.
1975: Sebastian von Hoerner's Population Growth Formula
In 1975, Sebastian von Hoerner put forth a formula for population growth, suggesting hyperbolic growth with an infinite population by 2025. This hyperbolic growth observed until the 1970s was linked to a feedback loop between demographic and technological development.
July 1987: Day of 5 Billion Commemoration
The United Nations designated July 11, 1987, as the "Day of 5 Billion" to mark reaching that population milestone.
1987: World Population Reaches 5 Billion
The global population reached 5 billion in 1987, a mere 13 years after it hit 4 billion.
1991: Population of Russia after Soviet Union Collapse
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's population in 1991 was 150 million.
1994: UN Conference on Population and Development
The United Nations' 1994 International Conference on Population and Development marked a turning point where linking human population growth to negative environmental impacts began to be seen as "anti-human." This perspective contributed to the idea of population growth being driven by food supply becoming taboo.
1995: Haub's Estimate of Total Humans Ever Lived
Haub estimated in 1995 that the total number of humans who have ever lived was around 100 billion, a figure reached by considering population sizes at various points in history and applying assumed birth rates.
1995: Haub's Analysis of Infant Mortality and Life Expectancy
Haub, in 1995, estimated that roughly 40% of all humans born throughout history didn't live past their first birthday. Additionally, he suggested that for a significant part of human history, life expectancy at birth was likely around ten years. This should not be confused with life expectancy after reaching adulthood, which varied depending on time period, location, and social standing, but calculations suggest averages from roughly 30 years and above.
1995: Global Fertility Rate in 1995
In 1995, the global fertility rate was recorded at 3.04 children per woman.
1996: Kapitsa's Estimate of Total Humans Ever Lived
In 1996, Kapitsa cited estimates ranging from 80 to 150 billion for the total number of humans who have ever lived.
October 1999: Day of 6 Billion Commemoration
On October 12, 1999, the United Nations marked the "Day of 6 Billion" to acknowledge the world population reaching 6 billion.
1999: World Population Reaches 6 Billion
In 1999, the world population hit 6 billion, 12 years after reaching 5 billion.
2000: Population Growth Rate Decline Begins
Between 2000 and 2005, the global population growth rate decreased to 1.3% annually, a decline from the peak of 2.1% observed between 1965 and 1970. Despite this slowdown, Sub-Saharan Africa continued to experience high population growth.
2000: Global Population Reaches 6 Billion
By 2000, the world population reached over 6 billion, marking a tenfold increase from 1700. This period experienced significant population growth, influenced by factors like improved sanitation, medical advancements, and the Green Revolution, which boosted agricultural productivity. This era marked the early stages of the 'demographic transition.'
2000: Brazil's Population in 2000
By the end of the 20th century, specifically in 2000, Brazil's population had increased tenfold to about 176 million, constituting nearly 3% of the world's population.
2000: Start of UN's Downward Revision Period
From 2000 to 2005, the UN consistently revised its world population projections downwards, reflecting emerging trends and updated data that pointed towards slower population growth than initially anticipated.
2001: Hopfenberg and Pimentel's Research Supporting Food Availability and Population Growth
Hopfenberg and Pimentel's research in 2001 provided support for the theory that population growth is influenced by food availability. Their findings indicated that food exports from food-rich regions to food-poor areas contribute to population growth in the latter, highlighting the interconnectedness of global food systems and population dynamics.
2001: Population Growth and Food Supply Theory
In 2001, David Pimentel and Russell Hopfenberg published a study on the theory that human population, like other animal populations, grows and shrinks based on food availability. This theory suggests that population growth is a consequence of increased food supply.
2001: Hopfenberg and Pimentel's Research on Food Exports and Population Growth
In 2001, Hopfenberg and Pimentel's research indicated that food exports from food-rich to food-poor areas contribute to population growth in the latter. This research supports the idea that global population growth is linked to food supply, as food moves across borders, potentially creating a feedback loop where increased food availability drives further population growth.
2002: Update to Haub's Estimate
Haub's estimate of the total number of humans who have ever lived, first prepared in 1995, was updated in 2002.
2003: UN's Wide-Ranging Projections for 2150
In 2003, the UN's Population Division released population projections for 2150, ranging widely from 3.2 to 24.8 billion. This vast range underscored the immense challenges in predicting long-term population trends with a high degree of certainty.
2005: Continued Decline in Population Growth
By 2005, the global population growth rate continued to decline from its peak in 1968, although Sub-Saharan Africa still experienced significant growth.
2005: Baseline Year for UN Population Projection
The United Nations used 2005 as the base year for their projection that 51 countries or areas would experience a population decline by 2050, indicating a trend where population growth within certain political boundaries doesn't always correspond with food availability.
2005: End of UN's Downward Revision Period
The year 2005 marked the end of a period where the UN consistently revised its world population projections downwards. This trend changed in 2006 with an upward revision, underscoring the dynamic and evolving nature of population forecasting.
2006: Shift in UN's Population Projection Trend
In 2006, the UN shifted its trend of downward revisions to world population projections, opting for an upward adjustment. This change highlighted the complexities of forecasting demographic trends and the need for ongoing reassessments.
2006: UK Population Reaches 60 Million
The population of the United Kingdom hit 60 million in 2006.
March 2007: UN's Upward Revision of 2050 Population Estimate
On March 14, 2007, the UN revised its 2050 mid-range population estimate upwards by 273 million, marking a shift from its previous downward revisions between 2000 and 2005. This revision underscored the dynamic nature of population projections and the ongoing efforts to refine them.
2009: UN Population Projections for 2050
In 2009, the UN released a range of population projections for 2050, spanning from approximately 8 billion to 10.5 billion, illustrating the uncertainties in predicting long-term population growth.
2010: Decline in Global Fertility Rate
By 2010, the global fertility rate had decreased to 2.52 children per woman, down from the 3.04 recorded in 1995.
2010: Global Fertility Rate in 2010
In 2010, the global fertility rate was estimated to be 2.44 children per woman.
2010: US Population Surpasses 307 Million
In 2010, the population of the United States exceeded 307 million.
2010: Mexico's Population Reaches 112 Million
Mexico experienced substantial population growth, with its population reaching about 112 million in 2010, up from 13.6 million in 1900.
2010: Population Change Calculation (2010-2015)
The provided figures allowed for the calculation of the population change between 2010 and 2015, offering a glimpse into the population growth dynamics of that period.
October 2011: Day of 7 Billion Declaration
The Population Division of the United Nations declared October 31, 2011, as the "Day of Seven Billion."
October 2011: UN Estimates 7 Billion Population
The United Nations estimated that the global population had reached 7 billion in October 2011.
2011: Update to Haub's Estimate
A further update to Haub's estimate of the total number of humans who have ever lived was made in 2011, resulting in a figure of approximately 107 billion. This estimate factors in population sizes throughout history and assumes birth rates for different periods.
2011: Global Language and Ethnicity Statistics
In 2011, the Han Chinese were the largest ethnic group, making up over 19% of the global population. The most spoken languages were English and Mandarin Chinese, with over 1.1 billion speakers each. Indo-European languages were spoken by over 3 billion people.
2011: UN's Declaration of 7 Billion Global Population
In late 2011, the UN declared that the global population had reached 7 billion, a significant demographic milestone. This contrasted with the USCB's claim that this milestone was reached in March 2012, highlighting the complexities of population estimates.
March 2012: USCB's Assertion on 7 Billion Population Mark
The US Census Bureau (USCB) asserted that the world population reached 7 billion in March 2012, differing from the UN's estimate of late 2011. This discrepancy highlighted the challenges in accurately predicting and tracking global population milestones.
March 2012: US Census Bureau Marks 7 Billion Population
The United States Census Bureau reported that the world's population hit 7 billion in March 2012.
June 2012: Calculation of Earth's Human Population Weight
In June 2012, British researchers estimated the combined weight of the Earth's human population to be approximately 287 million tonnes (630 billion pounds), with an average individual weight of roughly 62 kilograms (137 pounds).
2012: Decline in Russia's Population
By 2012, Russia's population had decreased to 143 million from its 1991 figure of 150 million.
2012: UN Projections for 2050
In 2012, the UN projected a continued increase in global population for the near future, with a steady decline in the growth rate. The population was expected to reach between 8.3 and 10.9 billion by 2050, illustrating the ongoing, though slowing, population growth.
2013: Potential Halt to Russia's Population Decline
There were indications that Russia's population decline, evident from 1991 to 2012, might have come to a halt in 2013.
2014: Independent Population Projection for 2100
An independent mathematical model published in 2014 offered a more conservative estimate, supporting the lower end of the UN's projections for 2150. This model, along with a separate 2014 estimate predicting between 9.3 and 12.6 billion people by 2100, added to the diverse range of projections and highlighted the uncertainties in predicting long-term population trends.
2015: Global Birth and Death Rate Projections (2015-2020)
Between 2015 and 2020, the global birth rate was approximately 140 million per year, while the death rate was 57 million per year.
2015: Significant Decline in Birth and Death Rates
By the period 2015-2020, the UN reported a significant decline in both crude birth and death rates compared to 1950-1955. The crude birth rate dropped to 18.5 per 1,000, while the crude death rate fell to 7.5 per 1,000, reflecting global health and societal advancements.
2015: Recent Decline in Global Population Growth Rate
The global population growth rate saw a decline to 1.1% between 2015 and 2020.
2015: Latest Population Data (2015)
The most recent population data available was for the year 2015, obtained from a UN data sheet, providing insights into recent population trends.
2015: End Point for Population Change Calculation
The year 2015 marked the end point for calculating the population change from 2010, providing a specific timeframe for analyzing population growth.
December 2019: German Foundation's Population Projection
In December 2019, the German Foundation for World Population projected that the global population would reach 8 billion by 2023, highlighting the ongoing upward trend despite declining growth rates. This projection emphasized the continued relevance of population growth as a global concern.
2019: UN Reports Continued Population Growth Decline
In 2019, the UN reported a continued decline in the population growth rate, attributing it to the global demographic transition. Projections suggested this trend could lead to zero growth by 2100, with a stabilized world population of 10.9 billion. However, this was just one estimate among many, highlighting the uncertainty of future population trends.
2020: Global Average Life Expectancy in 2020
As of 2020, the global average life expectancy, according to the World Health Organization, is 73.3 years. Women have an average life expectancy of 75.9 years, while men have an average of 70.8 years.
2020: World Religions by Population
As of 2020, the largest religious groups globally were Christianity (31%), Islam (25%), Unaffiliated (16%), and Hinduism (15%).
2020: Global Median Age in 2020
As of 2020, the median age of the global population was 31 years.
2020: Global Birth and Death Rate Projections (2015-2020)
Between 2015 and 2020, the global birth rate was approximately 140 million per year, while the death rate was 57 million per year.
2020: Continental Population Distribution
In 2020, Asia was the most populous continent with 60% of the global population, followed by Africa with 17%. Europe comprised 10%, Latin America and the Caribbean 8%, Northern America 5%, and Oceania 0.5%. Antarctica had a small, fluctuating population of around 1200.
2020: Global Population Statistics in 2020
In 2020, the global sex ratio was around 1.01 males per female. About 24.7% of the population was under 15, 65.2% were between 15 and 64, and 10.1% were 65 or older.
2020: Projected Continued Decline in Global Population Growth Rate
Projections suggest a further decline in the global population growth rate beyond 2020, throughout the 21st century.
2020: Population of Java in 2020
The Indonesian island of Java, which had about 5 million inhabitants in 1815, reached a population exceeding 139 million by 2020.
2020: PRB's Estimate of Total Humans Ever Lived
The PRB estimated that the total number of humans who have ever lived was 117 billion by 2020, with the current world population representing 6.7% of that figure.
2021: IMF Estimate of Nominal Gross World Product in 2021
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated the nominal gross world product for 2021 at US$94.94 trillion, which translates to an annual global per capita figure of around US$12,290.
2021: National Institute of Corrections' Previous Population Estimate
The National Institute of Corrections had previously estimated that the total number of people who have ever lived would reach a certain figure in 2021. However, they later revised this estimate, projecting a higher number by 2050.
November 2022: World's Most Densely Populated Countries
Data compiled in November 2022 from The World Factbook highlighted the world's most densely populated countries, both in absolute numbers and relative to their total populations.
November 2022: World population reaches 8 billion
In November 2022, the global population was estimated by the United Nations to have surpassed 8 billion.
November 2022: Birth of Eight Billionth Person
The United Nations acknowledged the birth of the eight billionth person on November 15, 2022.
July 2023: Top 10 Most Populated Countries
As of July 2023, approximately 4.6 billion people resided in the ten most populous countries globally, constituting around 57% of the world's population.
2023: German Foundation's 8 Billion Population Mark
The German Foundation for World Population projected that the global population would hit 8 billion by 2023, emphasizing the continuing upward trajectory despite slowing growth rates.
January 2024: Global Internet Users in January 2024
As of January 2024, approximately 5 billion people worldwide were internet users, representing about 66% of the global population.
2024: Projected End of Population Doubling
Based on UNDESA estimates, the world population is unlikely to double again in the 21st century after 2024, marking a departure from the previous trend of doubling approximately every half the time in the 2nd millennium.
2025: Projected Year for Infinite Population (Hoerner's Formula)
According to Sebastian von Hoerner's 1975 formula, the world population was projected to reach infinity by 2025. This projection highlighted the rapid, hyperbolic growth observed until the 1970s, attributed to a feedback loop between demographic and technological advancements.
2030: UN's Medium Variant Population Projection for 2030
In its 2019 revision, the UN estimated a 'medium variant' global population of nearly 8.6 billion by 2030. This projection provided a more specific benchmark for understanding population trends in the coming decade.
2037: Projected 9 Billion Population
The world population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2037.
2040: Projected Peak in Global Birth Rate
The global birth rate is projected to reach its peak between 2040 and 2045 at 141 million births per year.
2045: Projected Peak in Global Birth Rate
The global birth rate is projected to reach its peak between 2040 and 2045 at 141 million births per year.
2050: Wide Range of Population Projections for 2050
By 2050, population projections varied significantly, with the UN predicting a range of 8 billion to 10.5 billion. Other estimates, like Jorgen Randers' model, suggested a peak in the early 2040s followed by a decline, while Adrian Raftery emphasized the continued importance of population growth as a global issue.
2050: Projected Global Median Age in 2050
Projections show that the global median age will rise to 37.9 years by 2050, up from 31 years in 2020.
2050: National Institute of Corrections' Population Projection
The National Institute of Corrections projected that the cumulative number of people who have ever lived would reach 121 billion by 2050. This figure represents an increase of 4 billion from their 2021 estimate.
2050: UN Projection for 2050
The UN Department of Economics and Social Affairs projects a global population between 9 and 10 billion by 2050.
2050: UN Projection of Population Decline
The United Nations projected that by 2050, the populations of 51 countries or areas, including Germany, Italy, Japan, and most former Soviet Union states, would be smaller than in 2005. This projection highlights that within specific political boundaries, human populations don't always increase in line with available food supply.
2050: UN's Revised 2050 Population Projection
The year 2050 became a focal point for population projections, with the UN revising its estimates multiple times based on updated data and trends. These revisions highlighted the long-term focus on understanding and predicting global population changes.
2057: Projected 10 Billion Population
Projections indicate that the world population will hit 10 billion by 2057.
2064: IHME's Projected Peak in Global Population
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) projected a peak in global population in 2064, reaching 9.73 billion people. This projection diverged from some others by suggesting a peak followed by a decline to 8.79 billion by 2100, highlighting the range of possible future scenarios.
