A Crowded World: The Future of Human Population

There will be more than 11 billion people by 2100 soon we will all be living in a crowded world, a very crowded world. In just 15 years...

There will be more than 11 billion people by 2100 soon we will all be living in a crowded world, a very crowded world. In just 15 years, another billion people will be added to the point that even the smallest country will probably burst out from its seams. About 60% of that new population will be added in Asia dominated Chinese and Indians, who will make up about 40% of the Earth's population.

What does the future holds if you may ask? You will likely to meet someone of Chinese or Indian descent than someone from other racial and ethnic group. There will be a growth in mixed-race individuals as more people are likely to produce offspring outside their own race or ethnicity. What are the other likely demographic trends in 2100?

1. Say Hello to 4 Billion People

Although the world is growing a much slower pace than before, there are other areas in the world that grows faster than it can produce goods and services for its population. Currently, the world adds about 83 million people per year, equivalent to roughly the population of Germany.

2. Africa is the fastest growing continent

Even though Asia has the bulk of the world's population, it is projected that Africa will fast catch up in population growth buoyed by large young population with high fertility rate. In fact, Africa is expected to more than double its population by 2100. Currently, half of its population are under the age of 24.

Asia's population will peak and the growing urbanization and industrialization will mean fertility drop and aging population spikes. This trend will probably give Africa enough to surpass Asia by 2200.

3. Changing demographics
There will be more Nigerians than Americans by 2100 so that it will be ranked third behind China and India. India will be the most populous country by surpassing erstwhile leader China. More than half of the world's population will be concentrated in Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia and Uganda.

4. More old people in Europe than ever before
There is a reason why Europe has always been called as the Old World. By 2050, about 25% of Europe's population will be over 60 years old and by the century's end, 33% of the population will be in that same age group. It is expected that a bulk of the continent's economy will be catered to health care and old age pension. There will be a need for more younger people as fertility rates decline.

5. Mass exodus of people
Human migration will intensify as population increases and the negative consequences brought with it - wars, droughts, and economic uncertainty. There will be more Africans and other people from war-torn countries seeking asylum in Europe than ever before. There will be a growing transfer of Europeans into Asia with the rise of booming economies of China, India and the ASEAN.