The world's population in 2050 will be 9.276 billion, currently 6.396 in 2004

The Population Reference Bureau has released the 2004 World Population Data Sheet. The new data is now the most up-to-date world demographic information and makes estimates for all countries and regions of the world. It also highlights key world demographic shifts between now and 2050.

• The world's population in 2050 will be 9.276 billion, currently 6.396 in 2004.
• By 2050, India will have overtaken China as the most populous country with 1.628 billion people compared to China's future population of 1.437 billion.
• Developing countries in Africa and Asia will account for about 90 percent of the increase in world population projected by 2050, while the populations of most developed countries will decrease. Among the developed countries, only the United States is likely to see significant growth, a result of immigration and a birth rate higher than other developed nations.
• Niger is expected to be the fastest-growing country between now and 2050, rising from million to 53 million. Bulgaria will decline most, from 8 million to about 5 million.
• Globally, birth rates range dramatically from 1.2 to 8 children per woman. In some African and Middle Eastern countries, women average about six to eight births in their lifetimes. In Europe, the average falls far short of two children. Such low rates will ensure population decline and, in many European countries, the annual number of births is less than the number of deaths.
• Family planning use is becoming more widespread in developing countries to help women avoid unintended pregnancies and to lower birth rates. A clear prerequisite is the availability of modern contraception for couples with both the knowledge and desire to use it. This objective has been generally achieved in much of Latin America and the Caribbean, but often falls quite short in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia and Oceania. In each region, contraceptive use varies broadly. Obstacles such as the lack of funds and supplies —and the lack of comprehensive programs to educate couples on their options—are significant barriers.
• The United States has one of the highest birth rates among developed countries, with a total fertility rate of 2.0. Other developed countries have fertility rates lower or much lower than 2.0.
• Despite improvements, each year an infant is 13 times more likely to die in Africa as in Europe or North America. The lack of prenatal and postnatal care, resulting from the lack of facilities, trained professionals, or ignorance of the need for professional care, are major contributors to high rates of infant mortality. The fact that high rates remain in many countries does mask the fact, however, that real progress has been made. In Africa, rates have been halved since 1950, showing that maternal and child health programs do work.
• The number of people now living with HIV/AIDS has reached 38 million, according to the United Nations. Sub-Saharan Africa has by far the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS, just over 25 million. Out of the 6.5 million HIV/AIDS victims in South/Southeast Asia, 5.1 million live in India. It is estimated, however, that infection rates have begun to decline in a number of countries, so that the situation need not be hopeless.

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The full PDF version can be found here http://www.prb.org/pdf04/04WorldDataSheet_Eng.pdf