Global Scans · Population · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The global population is expected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, up 1 billion from 2016. Western economies are declining in numbers and emerging economies witnessing burgeoning growth.

• [New] Over the next three decades, Africa will lead global growth in working-age population, adding 740 million people by 2050. Geography 2050
• [New] The young population in Africa presents long-term opportunities as incomes rise. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to witness 15.2% CAGR during the forecast period, due to rapid urbanization, population expansion, and infrastructure development. Polaris
• [New] Over the next 25 years, countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East will see an unprecedented surge in their working-age population. World Bank Live
• [New] Japan's working population is set to shrink by over 11 million people by then, and there will not be enough workers to keep factories and infrastructure running. LinkedIn
• [New] Global demand for animal-based foods is projected to increase by nearly 70% by 2050 due to population growth and rising incomes, placing immense pressure on land and water resources. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Bangladesh offers a stunning $100 billion investment opportunity and may become the next industrial and digital economy center with a population of 170 million, 65% of whom are in the working age group! The Daily Star
• [New] By 2050, the world's population of people aged 60 years and older will double, reaching 2.1 billion. CNS Media
• [New] We will probably have autonomous ride-hailing in about half the population of the U.S. by the end of the year. Los Angeles Times
• Asia, the world's most populous region, will see its population rise 10% by 2050, reaching 5.3 Billion from 4.8 Billion in 2024. IMARC Group
• East Asia is facing a looming demographic crisis with significant population reductions expected in countries like China and Japan. PubMed Central (PMC)
• By 2030, a portion of the EU population will be aged sixty or above, creating urgency around functional longevity. Market Data Forecast
• By 2050 the global population aged 60 years or older will reach 2.1 billion, nearly double the 2019 figure of 1.0 billion. Persistence Market Research
• By 2040, a significant proportion of the world's working-age population will be concentrated in Africa and South Asia, regions projected to experience robust population growth. GOV.UK
• In Indonesia specifically, the share of the population that owns an air conditioning unit is expected to rise from 14% in 2023 to 85% by 2050, driven in large part by an improvement in living standards. Euronews
• Population growth is the largest contributor to the projected prevalence changes in central, eastern, western, and southern regions of sub-Saharan Africa. PubMed Central (PMC)
• More than half of the world's population will be affected by water shortages by 2032, causing severe health consequences, unless urgent action is taken. PubMed Central (PMC)
• As of a matter of weeks from now, one third of the American population will live where some form of assisted suicide is legal. AlbertMohler.com

Last updated: 02 July 2026