World Population Facts - Population Matters

Our population has become so large that the Earth cannot cope.

There are now more than 8,000,000,000 people on planet Earth.

It took until the early 1800s for the world population to reach one billion. Now we add a billion every 12-15 years.

Current world population

THE EARTH CANNOT PROVIDE FOR US ALL AND THE NATURAL WORLD IS PAYING THE PRICE

Biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, deforestation, water and food shortage—these are all exacerbated by our huge and ever-increasing numbers. Our impact on the environment is a product of our consumption and our numbers. We must address both.

CLICK ON ANY OF THE HEADINGS BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE

Welcome to the Anthropocene

Scientists say that we have changed our planet so much, the time we live in should be called the ‘Anthropocene’. Learn more about the changes we’ve made, and why it matters.

Population: the numbers

Global population is still rising by more than 80 million a year – and is most likely to continue rising for the rest of this century unless we take action. Find out where the growth is happening and why.

Resources & consumption

The 8 billion people on Earth are demanding more resources than it can provide. Find out how our numbers and the overconsumption by some of us are exhausting our planet.

Poverty & development

High population growth both increases poverty and is caused by it. Find out more about the links, and how action to tackle poverty and action to tackle population benefit one another.

Climate change

The climate crisis is already devastating lives and if we don’t take action, the effects will be catastrophic. Find out how population matters to climate change, and what we can do about it.

Biodiversity

Nature is under pressure as never before. One million species are under the threat of extinction. Our human population is one of the drivers of the biodiversity crisis. Learn more.

The facts