The global population grew by 71 million people in 2024, reaching 8.09 billion by New Year’s Day, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. While this reflects a 0.9% increase, it marks a slight slowdown from 2023, when the population grew by 75 million.
The United Nations Population Division predicts that the world’s population will continue to rise, reaching 8.5 billion by 2030 and peaking at 10.3 billion in the 2080s. However, growth rates are expected to decline after the peak due to falling fertility rates in many regions.
Key trends in 2024
In January 2025, an estimated 4.2 births and 2.0 deaths will occur globally every second.
The U.S. population increased by 2.6 million in 2024, reaching 341 million by New Year’s Day. Growth in the U.S. was driven by births and immigration, which added one person every 21.2 seconds.
More than half of countries worldwide now have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, with immigration expected to be the primary driver of growth in regions such as North America, Australia, and Europe.
Future challenges
Despite slower growth rates, the United Nations Population Prospects 2024 highlights the challenges posed by high fertility rates in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where populations are projected to double between 2024 and 2054. This rapid growth may strain resources, making sustainable development and poverty reduction more difficult.
High fertility rates, coupled with limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, are also linked to gender inequalities. In 2024, 4.7 million babies, or 3.5% of births worldwide, were born to mothers under age 18, with 340,000 births to girls under age 15. Addressing these issues through education and healthcare investments is crucial for slowing growth and improving living conditions.
Aging populations and long-term shifts
The global population is also aging, with life expectancy reaching 73.3 years in 2024 and projected to rise to 77.4 years by 2054. By 2080, older adults (65 and above) will outnumber children under 18. Governments are urged to adapt to this shift by investing in healthcare, workforce training, and sustainability programs rather than promoting pronatalist policies to increase birth rates.
Looking ahead
While population growth is expected to slow, experts stress the importance of closing gaps in family planning services and supporting women’s reproductive rights to manage growth responsibly. With an estimated 257 million women still lacking access to contraception, the United Nations emphasizes the need for sustainable policies to address both population and environmental challenges.
(Sources: Mike Schneider, AP; Population Matters org, Worldometer)