New Data Exposes Global Disparity in Quality of Life

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In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
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In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
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In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
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In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
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In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.
In 2009, the world population was estimated at 6.8 billion. The United Nations projects population could reach 10.5 billion people by 2050.

<p>World population has grown steadily over the past half century, increasing from 2.5 billion in 1950 to a projected 6.8 billion in 2009. The United Nations medium fertility-level scenario projects <a href=”https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/environmental-policy/poverty-statistics-world-poverty” target=”_self”>world population</a> will grow to 9.2 billion in 2050. Its high projection takes the world to 10.5 billion in 2050. Under its low projection, which assumes rapid reductions in fertility rates, population peaks at just over 8 billion in 2042, then begins to decline.</p>
<p>Though life expectancies around the world have increased in the past half-century, large discrepancies remain among different regions. Overall, world life expectancy increased from an average of 47 years in the mid-20th century to 68 years today. While life expectancy in 1950 hovered around 40 years in both Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, it has since increased far more rapidly in Asia, reaching 69 years, compared with 51 years in Sub-Saharan Africa. On a regional basis, the United States and Canada top the world with an average life expectancy of 79 years.</p>
<p>Leading causes of death also vary widely across regions. In low-income countries, 18 percent of deaths are caused by infectious or parasitic diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and diarrheal diseases. Such diseases cause only 2.5 percent of deaths in high-income countries.</p>
<p>Some progress, however, has been made in fighting infectious disease in low-income countries. Thanks to an international vaccine campaign, the number of <a href=”https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/environmental-policy/poverty-statistics-world-poverty” target=”_self”>polio cases</a> worldwide has dropped from close to 400,000 in 1987 to fewer than 2,000 in 2008.</p>
<p>On the economic front, China and India — the two most populous countries in the world — have experienced significant <a href=”https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/environmental-policy/poverty-statistics-world-poverty” target=”_self”>economic growth</a> over the past several decades. However, while India’s gross domestic product (GDP) of $363 per person in 1990 just barely exceeded China’s, since then, China’s per capita GDP has grown 10-fold, while India’s has grown only three-fold.</p>

  • Published on Jan 11, 2010
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