Nigeria’s population is projected to hit 216 million by November, thereby making it the sixth most populous country in the world.
This was disclosed in a statement on the 2022 World Population Prospects released by the United Nations on Monday, which also projects the global population to reach 8 billion by November 15, with China maintaining its lead.
The annual report prepared by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), also predicts that India would surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023.
The report, which was released in commemoration of the World Population Day, shows Nigeria also moved from the 10th position in 1990 with 94 million people to become the 6th most populous nation in 2022 with 216 million people.
The country is also projected to become the 4th most populous with a 375 million population by 2050.
The report said eight countries including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the United Republic of Tanzania will account for more than half of the global population up to 2050.
Population growth
Noting that the latest projections suggest that the world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, and 9.7 billion through to 2050, the report added that the world population is projected to reach its peak of around 10.4 billion people during the 2080s and to remain at that level until 2100.
The report also said countries in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to contribute more than half of the increase to become the world’s most populated sub-region.
The UN’s Secretary-General, António Guterres, was quoted as saying: “This year’s World Population Day falls during a milestone year when we anticipate the birth of the earth’s eight billionth inhabitant.”
He added: “At the same time, it is a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and a moment to reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to one another.”
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to contribute more than half of the figure to become the world’s most populated sub region.
The report however said the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen under one per cent in 2020, adding that fertility has fallen markedly in recent decades for many countries.
It said that fertility has fallen markedly in recent decades for many countries: today, two-thirds of the global population lives in a country or area where lifetime fertility is below 2.1 births per woman, roughly the level required for zero growth in the long run, for a population with low mortality.
It also said that globally, more men (50.3%) than women (49.7%) in 2022, but the figure is projected to slowly be equalled over the course of the century by 2050, when the number of women will equal the number of men.
Commenting, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Liu Zhenmin, said: “The relationship between population growth and sustainable development is complex and multidimensional.
“Rapid population growth makes eradicating poverty, combatting hunger and malnutrition, and increasing the coverage of health and education systems more difficult.”
Rising older population
The 2022 World Population Prospects also revealed that the population of older persons is increasing both in numbers and as a share of the total.
It projects that the global population aged 65 years or above will rise from 10% in 2022 to 16% in 2050.
The report recommends that countries with ageing populations should take steps to adapt public programmes to the growing numbers of older persons, establishing universal health care and long-term care systems, and by improving the sustainability of social security and pension systems.
