According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the global population has reached over 8 billion due to advancements in healthcare leading to longer life expectancies and a decline in birth rates. However, this growth is still following a gradual decrease as seen in previous years.

According to the bureau, the world’s population surpassed the threshold on September 26th, although the agency advises caution in relying on this exact date.

The Census Bureau stated that the United Nations had previously declared November 22, 2022 as the “Day of 8 Billion,” estimating that this milestone was reached 10 months prior.

The difference is a result of various countries using different methods to tally their population, or not keeping track at all. Several countries do not have proper systems in place to document births and deaths. The bureau reports that even some of the most heavily populated countries, like India and Nigeria, have not conducted a census in more than ten years.

Although the world’s population has continued to increase rapidly, going from 6 billion to 8 billion since the year 2000, the pace has decreased compared to the doubling that occurred between 1960 and 2000.

The recent rise in the median age of 32 can be attributed to the increasing number of people living longer. This trend is expected to continue and reach a median age of 39 by 2060.

Canada and other similar countries have experienced an increase in aging populations with a decrease in mortality rates among older individuals. On the other hand, countries like Nigeria have observed significant decreases in deaths among children under the age of 5.

The number of births per woman of childbearing age, known as fertility rates, is decreasing globally. This has led to a trend of slower population growth over the past 50 years, with many countries now falling below the replacement level.

According to demographers, in order to maintain a balanced global population, the minimum number of births needed to replace both the father and mother is 2.1. Currently, nearly three-quarters of individuals reside in nations with fertility rates at or below this threshold.

Some countries, such as India, Tunisia, and Argentina, have fertility rates that are close to the replacement level.

Approximately 15% of the world’s population resides in areas where the fertility rate is below the level needed to sustain the current population. Examples of countries with lower fertility rates include Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Sweden, while nations with extremely low fertility rates include China, South Korea, and Spain.

Countries including Israel, Ethiopia, and Papua New Guinea have fertility rates higher than replacement, with some reaching up to 5. These nations make up almost a quarter of the global population.

Out of the total global population, only a small percentage of 4% resides in nations where the fertility rate exceeds 5. These countries are all located in Africa.

The bureau predicts that fertility rates around the world will continue to decrease until at least 2060, and no country is expected to have a rate higher than 4 by that time.