The World Is Changing. Measure How.
Population, fertility, generations, migration and demographic change — sourced primarily from the United Nations and official national statistical authorities.
Primary global source: United Nations DESA Population Division — World Population Prospects 2024.
UN projects global population to peak at about 10.3 billion in the mid-2080s
UN median projection approximately 10.2 billion in 2100
World Population, 1950–2100
UN WPP 2024 medium variant
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 · https://population.un.org/wpp/
Accessible data table
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,500,000,000 |
| 1960 | 3,000,000,000 |
| 1970 | 3,700,000,000 |
| 1980 | 4,400,000,000 |
| 1990 | 5,300,000,000 |
| 2000 | 6,100,000,000 |
| 2010 | 6,900,000,000 |
| 2020 | 7,800,000,000 |
| 2030 | 8,500,000,000 |
| 2040 | 9,100,000,000 |
| 2050 | 9,700,000,000 |
| 2060 | 10,000,000,000 |
| 2070 | 10,200,000,000 |
| 2080 | 10,300,000,000 |
| 2090 | 10,300,000,000 |
| 2100 | 10,200,000,000 |
What the data show
The world population reached about 8.2 billion in 2024. Under the UN medium variant it is projected to peak near 10.3 billion in the mid-2080s before easing to roughly 10.2 billion by 2100.
Why it matters for continuity
The size and age structure of the next generation will shape labour markets, family formation, education systems, pension commitments and the institutions that carry culture forward.
Regional Projections
World, 1950–2100
Current (2024): 8.23B
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 · https://population.un.org/wpp/
Accessible data table
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,500,000,000 |
| 1960 | 3,000,000,000 |
| 1970 | 3,700,000,000 |
| 1980 | 4,400,000,000 |
| 1990 | 5,300,000,000 |
| 2000 | 6,100,000,000 |
| 2010 | 6,900,000,000 |
| 2020 | 7,800,000,000 |
| 2030 | 8,500,000,000 |
| 2040 | 9,100,000,000 |
| 2050 | 9,700,000,000 |
| 2060 | 10,000,000,000 |
| 2070 | 10,200,000,000 |
| 2080 | 10,300,000,000 |
| 2090 | 10,300,000,000 |
| 2100 | 10,200,000,000 |
Global aggregate.
Regions at a Glance
Africa
PROJECTEDEurope
PROJECTEDAsia
PROJECTEDNorthern America
PROJECTEDCentral & South America
PROJECTEDMiddle East / Western Asia
PROJECTEDOceania
PROJECTEDCompare
Place regions side by side to see how the world's population balance is shifting across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Open comparisonSources include United Nations DESA and official national statistical authorities. Every figure is labelled by status — Official, Estimated, Projected or NATION CONTINUITY Model.