UN study says world population could grow to nearly 11 billion by 2050
U.S. Water News Online
LONDON -- World population could skyrocket to 10.9 billion by mid-century if women don't receive better education, health care, and access to birth control, a United Nations report says.
The U.N. Population Fund said women must also gain equal status and rights to plan family size if the planet is to contain population growth at 50 percent to 9.3 billion by 2050.
The report forecast all projected growth -- from a current 6.1 billion -- would take place in developing countries, intensifying poverty, and environmental strains globally.
The report, "State of the World Population 2001," said the world will be changed on an "unprecedented scale," with more people and greater consumption degrading soil, polluting air and water, melting ice caps, and destroying natural habits.
The world's 49 least-developed countries -- already the most severely challenged by soil and water degradation and food shortages -- will nearly triple in size, from 668 million to 1.86 billion, the report said.
To feed the nearly 8 billion people expected by 2025 and to improve their diets, the world will have to double food production and improve distribution -- without relying on specialized fertilizers and pesticides, which would further disturb the ecological balance, the report said.
"Population growth, increasing affluence -- with rising consumption, pollution and waste -- and persistent poverty are putting increasing pressure on the environment," the report said.
The U.N. Population Fund, launched in 1969, helps developing countries find solutions to their population problems. It has three main program areas: reproductive health, including family planning and sexual health; population and development strategies; and advocacy.
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