Day of Eight Billion

The Day of Eight Billion, marked on 15 November 2022, was designated by the United Nations as the approximate day when the world population reached eight billion people.^[2]

António Guterres has described the milestone as an occasion to celebrate diversity and advancements while considering humanity's shared responsibility for the planet.

Global historical population growth according to Our World in Data^[1]

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the milestone as an occasion to "celebrate our diversity, recognize our common humanity, and marvel at advancements in health" while considering "our shared responsibility to care for our planet and … one another".^[3]

The date was selected based on data projections by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).^[4]

Background

The world population's growth to eight billion people in 2022 – up from five billion in 1987, six billion in 1999, and seven billion in 2011 – reflects positive developments across fields such as global health and poverty eradication. Significant reductions in global infant and maternal mortality rates, especially in the 21st century, have led to dramatic increases in global life expectancy – and therefore the overall population.^[5][6]

“This is a success story," UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem said on World Population Day (11 July) 2022. "Our world, despite its challenges, is one where higher shares of people are educated and live healthier lives than at any previous point in history."^[7]

Perspectives on the Day of Eight Billion

 

Global population size, estimates (1950–2022) and medium scenario with 95 percent prediction intervals, 2022–2100^[4]

Amid global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, several observers, including David Attenborough, have expressed concerns about the future of the planet and its inhabitants as the population grows.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Throughout history, fears regarding overpopulation have often referenced the work of 18th-century economist Thomas Malthus, who predicted humanity's growth would outpace its ability to sustain itself with resources.^[10][12][13]

Others have pointed to declining fertility as a potential harbinger of demographic disaster. However, demography experts have challenged these theories, highlighting the diversity of countries’ population trends and the unlikelihood of any doomsday scenarios.^[14][15][16]

“Population growth is currently concentrated in the world’s poorest countries, while some of the richest countries are beginning to see population decline," UNFPA Senior Adviser of Economics and Demography Michael Herrmann wrote on 11 July 2022.^[14]

Overall, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs projects the global population will continue to grow, potentially peaking at an estimated 10.4 billion people during the 2080s – and staying there until 2100.^[4]

Eight billionth person

The United Nations stated that they "can’t predict which exact baby will push us into the next billion".^[17] Nonetheless, the Philippines' Commission on Population and Development selected Vinice Mabansag, a baby girl born in Manila, as the symbolic eight billionth person on Earth.^[18][19]

See also

• Day of Seven Billion
• Day of Six Billion

References

1. Roser, Max; Ritchie, Hannah; Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban; Rodés-Guirao, Lucas (May 9, 2013). "World Population Growth". Our World in Data.
2. "World set to reach 8 billion people on 15 November 2022". United Nations Population Fund. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
3. "Secretary General's message on World Population Day". MINURSO. July 11, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
4. "World Population Prospects 2022" (PDF). UNDESA. New York. 2022.
5. "Statement of the Executive Director to the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board 2022". United Nations Population Fund. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
6. Nations, United. "Population". United Nations. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
7. "World set to reach 8 billion people on 15 November 2022". United Nations Population Fund. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
8. Hendrix, Howard V. (August 23, 2022). "The planet is approaching 8 billion people. We're not ready". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
9. "David Attenborough – Humans are plague on Earth". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
10. Gorvett, Zaria. "How many people can Earth handle?". www.bbc.com. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
11. "Are there too many people? All bets are off". the Guardian. May 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
12. Tomlinson, Mark. "OPINION | Mark Tomlinson: Facing up to the challenge of a world with 8 billion people in it". News24. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
13. Smith, Pete (2015). "Malthus is still wrong: we can feed a world of 9–10 billion, but only by reducing food demand". Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 74 (3): 187–190. doi:10.1017/S0029665114001517. ISSN 0029-6651. PMID 25319456. S2CID 13208588.
14. Nations, United. "The Global Population Will Soon Reach 8 Billion—Then What?". United Nations. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
15. Hamilton, Isobel Asher. "Elon Musk says 'population collapse' is more dangerous than global warming. Experts say that won't happen". Business Insider. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
16. Christensen, Jen (August 30, 2022). "Elon Musk thinks the population will collapse. Demographers say it's not happening". CNN. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
17. "'Milestone for humanity' as UN celebrates 8 billionth birth". United Nations. November 15, 2022.
18. Mwenesi, Susan (November 16, 2022). "Iconic baby: Joy as Filipino newborn becomes symbolic world's 8 billionth person". Tuko. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
19. Hamit, Dilara. "Filipino baby girl becomes world's 8 billionth person". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved November 20, 2022.