World Population Day
The global population is living longer on average
Last year, the global population reached an average life expectancy of 73.3 years—over 8 years longer than in 1995. According to United Nations projections, this figure is expected to continue increasing in the coming decades.
On 11 July, we celebrate World Population Day for the 36th time. The United Nations declared this observance in 1989, symbolically linking it to the day when the global population first reached 5 billion. The aim is to raise awareness of various population-related issues, including family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, and human rights.
In 2024, the world population reached 8.2 billion
According to UN estimates, the global population reached 8.2 billion in 2024. While the number continues to grow, the growth is slower than in the past. Compared to 2023, the global population increased by about 1.7%. The UN predicts that it will surpass 9 billion by 2038, reach 9.6 billion by 2050, and approach 10.2 billion by 2070, at which point it is expected to stabilize by the end of the 21st century. A global population decline is expected to begin around 2086.
Asia remains the most populous continent
Asia continues to be the most populous continent, home to 59.1% of the global population. India and China remain the two most populous countries. India, which ranks first, accounts for 17.8% of the global population. Europe is home to 9.0% of the world’s population, while Oceania still holds the smallest share, with only 0.6%. Slovenia’s population represents less than 0.03% of the world’s population. At the beginning of 2025, Slovenia had 2,130,850 residents. Over the past 50 years, its population has increased by about 340,000 and in the last decade by about 65,000.
Population growth fastest in Africa
Africa is experiencing the fastest population growth
By 2054, its population is projected to grow by 79%. By the end of the century, Africa's population could reach 3.3 billion—more than a fifth of the global total. This growth is expected to shift the ranking of the most populous countries, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo likely to surpass the United States, which is currently third in terms of population.
Global fertility rates continue to decline
The global fertility rate currently stands at 2.25 live births per woman. On average, women now have one fewer child than in 1990, when the rate was 3.31. More than half of all countries have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 live births per woman. Currently, nearly a fifth of all countries—including China, Italy, South Korea, and Spain—are experiencing extremely low fertility rates, with fewer than 1.4 live births per woman.
About 45% of all countries still have fertility rates above 2.1. More than one in ten countries—mostly in Africa—have fertility rates of four or more births per woman. These include the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Somalia.
In Slovenia, the total fertility rate gradually declined between 1980 and 2003, reaching a low of 1.2 children per woman. Since then, it has slowly increased, reaching 1.52 in 2024.
Life expectancy at birth continues to rise
Globally, life expectancy in 2023 was 73.3 years, 8.4 years longer than in 1995. According to UN projections, life expectancy will continue to rise in the coming decades. By 2054, it is expected to reach 77.4 years, and by the late 2050s, more than half of all global deaths will occur at age 80 or older. In 1995, this was true for only 17% of deaths. By the end of this century, global life expectancy is projected to reach 81.7 years.
In Slovenia, life expectancy is higher than the global average. Since independence, it has increased by 10 years for men (from 69.5 to 79.5) and by 7 years for women (from 77.4 to 84.7). Boys born in Slovenia in 2024 could expect to live approximately 79.5 years, and girls 84.7 years, assuming current mortality rates. The average age at death in 2024 was 75.7 years for men and 82.7 years for women.
In 2024, the world population reached 8.2 billion
According to UN estimates, the global population reached 8.2 billion in 2024. While the number continues to grow, the growth is slower than in the past. Compared to 2023, the global population increased by about 1.7%. The UN predicts that it will surpass 9 billion by 2038, reach 9.6 billion by 2050, and approach 10.2 billion by 2070, at which point it is expected to stabilize by the end of the 21st century. A global population decline is expected to begin around 2086.
Asia remains the most populous continent
Asia continues to be the most populous continent, home to 59.1% of the global population. India and China remain the two most populous countries. India, which ranks first, accounts for 17.8% of the global population. Europe is home to 9.0% of the world’s population, while Oceania still holds the smallest share, with only 0.6%. Slovenia’s population represents less than 0.03% of the world’s population. At the beginning of 2025, Slovenia had 2,130,850 residents. Over the past 50 years, its population has increased by about 340,000 and in the last decade by about 65,000.
Population growth fastest in Africa
Africa is experiencing the fastest population growth
By 2054, its population is projected to grow by 79%. By the end of the century, Africa's population could reach 3.3 billion—more than a fifth of the global total. This growth is expected to shift the ranking of the most populous countries, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo likely to surpass the United States, which is currently third in terms of population.
Global fertility rates continue to decline
The global fertility rate currently stands at 2.25 live births per woman. On average, women now have one fewer child than in 1990, when the rate was 3.31. More than half of all countries have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 live births per woman. Currently, nearly a fifth of all countries—including China, Italy, South Korea, and Spain—are experiencing extremely low fertility rates, with fewer than 1.4 live births per woman.
About 45% of all countries still have fertility rates above 2.1. More than one in ten countries—mostly in Africa—have fertility rates of four or more births per woman. These include the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Somalia.
In Slovenia, the total fertility rate gradually declined between 1980 and 2003, reaching a low of 1.2 children per woman. Since then, it has slowly increased, reaching 1.52 in 2024.
Life expectancy at birth continues to rise
Globally, life expectancy in 2023 was 73.3 years, 8.4 years longer than in 1995. According to UN projections, life expectancy will continue to rise in the coming decades. By 2054, it is expected to reach 77.4 years, and by the late 2050s, more than half of all global deaths will occur at age 80 or older. In 1995, this was true for only 17% of deaths. By the end of this century, global life expectancy is projected to reach 81.7 years.
In Slovenia, life expectancy is higher than the global average. Since independence, it has increased by 10 years for men (from 69.5 to 79.5) and by 7 years for women (from 77.4 to 84.7). Boys born in Slovenia in 2024 could expect to live approximately 79.5 years, and girls 84.7 years, assuming current mortality rates. The average age at death in 2024 was 75.7 years for men and 82.7 years for women.
When making use of the data and information of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, always add: "Source: SURS". More: Copyright.
.jpg)
.jpg)
