world population 1804 - 2022 from 1 billion to 8 billion people.
A tremendous change occurred with the industrial revolution: whereas it had taken all of human history until around 1800 for world population to reach one billion, the second billion was achieved in only 130 years (1930), the third billion in 30 years (1960), the fourth billion in 15 years (1974), and the fifth billion in only 13 years (1987).
During the 20th century alone, the population in the world has grown from 1.65 billion to 6 billion.
In 1970, there were roughly half as many people in the world as there are now.
Because of declining growth rates, it will now take over 200 years to double again.
Wonder how big was the world’s population when you were born?
Check out this simple wizard or this more elaborated one to find out.
Sources:
United Nations Population Division
Growth Rate
Population in the world is growing at a rate of around 0.85% per year in 2025 (down from 0.97% in 2020, and 1.25% in 2015). The current population increase is estimated at around 70 million people per year.
Annual growth rate reached its peak in the mid 1960s, when it was at around 2%. The rate of increase has nearly halved since then, and will continue to decline in the coming years.
World population will therefore continue to grow in the 21st century, but at a much slower rate compared to the recent past. World population has doubled (100% increase) in 40 years from 1959 (3 billion) to 1999 (6 billion). It is now estimated that it will increase by 50% in the subsequent 40 years, to reach 9 billion by 2037.
The latest world population projections indicate that world population will reach 10 billion persons in the year 2060 and 10.2 billion in 2100.
World Population (2025 and historical)
2025 8,231,613,070 0.85% 69,640,498 30.9 2.24 55
2024 8,161,972,572 0.87% 70,237,642 30.6 2.25 55
2023 8,091,734,930 0.88% 70,327,738 30.4 2.25 54
2022 8,021,407,192 0.84% 66,958,801 30.1 2.27 54
2021 7,954,448,391 0.86% 67,447,099 29.8 2.29 53
2020 7,887,001,292 1.09% 83,301,884 29.6 2.32 53
2015 7,470,491,872 1.25% 89,751,945 28.3 2.54 50
2010 7,021,732,148 1.29% 86,952,403 27.2 2.6 47
2005 6,586,970,132 1.31% 83,053,428 26.1 2.63 44
2000 6,171,702,993 1.39% 82,564,802 25.1 2.75 41
1995 5,758,878,982 1.57% 86,215,174 24 2.89 39
1990 5,327,803,110 1.82% 91,771,929 22.9 3.31 36
1985 4,868,943,465 1.83% 84,267,446 22 3.52 33
1980 4,447,606,236 1.79% 75,374,192 21.5 3.74 30
1975 4,070,735,277 1.96% 75,210,297 20.7 4.08 27
1970 3,694,683,794 2.07% 72,030,018 20.3 4.83 25
1965 3,334,533,703 2.03% 63,812,562 20.8 5.07 22
1960 3,015,470,894 1.93% 55,051,420 21.5 4.7 20
1955 2,740,213,792 1.91% 49,424,189 21.8 5 18
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision. (Medium-fertility variant).
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World Population Forecast (2030-2050)
View population projections for all years (up to 2100)
2030 8,569,124,911 0.81% 67,502,368 32 2.2 58
2035 8,885,210,181 0.73% 63,217,054 33 2.15 60
2040 9,177,190,203 0.65% 58,396,004 34 2.13 62
2045 9,439,639,668 0.57% 52,489,893 35 2.12 63
2050 9,664,378,587 0.47% 44,947,784 36.1 2.1 65
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision. (Medium-fertility variant).
World Population Milestones
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10 Billion (2060)
The United Nations projects world population will reach 10 billion in the year 2060.
9 Billion (2037)
World population is expected to reach 9 billion in the year 2037.
8.2 Billion (current)
The current world population is 8,226,568,741 as of Friday, June 6, 2025 according to the most recent United Nations estimates [1] elaborated by Worldometer. The term “World Population” refers to the human population (the total number of humans currently living) of the world.
8 Billion (2022)
World population has reached 8 billion people in the first half of 2022, according to the United Nations (after being previously estimated to occur on November 15, 2022). The U.S. Census Bureau International Database (IDB) estimates instead that the world population hit 8 billion on September 26, 2023. In their note, the U.S. Census Bureau added: “Emphasis on the word estimates. There are many sources of uncertainty in estimating the global population, and it’s unlikely this population milestone was reached on that exact date” [source]
7 Billion (2010)
According to the latest revision by the United Nations (released in 2024), world population reached 7 Billion in the first half of 2010 (after being previously estimated as occurring on October 31, 2011). The U.S. Census Bureau made a different estimate, for which the 7 billion mark was reached on March 12, 2012.
6 Billion (1998)
According to the latest revision by the United Nations (released in 2024), the 6 billion figure was reached in the first half of 1998 (this was previously estimated as occurring on October 12, 1999, celebrated as the Day of 6 Billion). According to the U.S. Census Bureau instead, the six billion milestone was reached on July 22, 1999, at about 3:49 AM GMT. Yet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the date and time of when 6 billion was reached will probably change because the already uncertain estimates are constantly being updated.
Previous Milestones
5 Billion: 1986
4 Billion: 1974
3 Billion: 1960
2 Billion: 1930
1 Billion: 1804
Summary Table
1 - 1804 (1803 years): 0.2 to 1 bil.
1804 - 2022 (218 years): from 1 billion to 8 billion
During the 20th century alone, the population in the world has grown from 1.65 billion to 6 billion.
In 1970, there were roughly half as many people in the world as there are now.
Because of declining growth rates, it will now take over 200 years to double again.
Wonder how big was the world’s population when you were born?
Check out this simple wizard or this more elaborated one to find out.
Sources:
United Nations Population Division
Growth Rate
Population in the world is growing at a rate of around 0.85% per year in 2025 (down from 0.97% in 2020, and 1.25% in 2015). The current population increase is estimated at around 70 million people per year.
Annual growth rate reached its peak in the mid 1960s, when it was at around 2%. The rate of increase has nearly halved since then, and will continue to decline in the coming years.
World population will therefore continue to grow in the 21st century, but at a much slower rate compared to the recent past. World population has doubled (100% increase) in 40 years from 1959 (3 billion) to 1999 (6 billion). It is now estimated that it will increase by 50% in the subsequent 40 years, to reach 9 billion by 2037.
The latest world population projections indicate that world population will reach 10 billion persons in the year 2060 and 10.2 billion in 2100.
World Population (2025 and historical)
2025 8,231,613,070 0.85% 69,640,498 30.9 2.24 55
2024 8,161,972,572 0.87% 70,237,642 30.6 2.25 55
2023 8,091,734,930 0.88% 70,327,738 30.4 2.25 54
2022 8,021,407,192 0.84% 66,958,801 30.1 2.27 54
2021 7,954,448,391 0.86% 67,447,099 29.8 2.29 53
2020 7,887,001,292 1.09% 83,301,884 29.6 2.32 53
2015 7,470,491,872 1.25% 89,751,945 28.3 2.54 50
2010 7,021,732,148 1.29% 86,952,403 27.2 2.6 47
2005 6,586,970,132 1.31% 83,053,428 26.1 2.63 44
2000 6,171,702,993 1.39% 82,564,802 25.1 2.75 41
1995 5,758,878,982 1.57% 86,215,174 24 2.89 39
1990 5,327,803,110 1.82% 91,771,929 22.9 3.31 36
1985 4,868,943,465 1.83% 84,267,446 22 3.52 33
1980 4,447,606,236 1.79% 75,374,192 21.5 3.74 30
1975 4,070,735,277 1.96% 75,210,297 20.7 4.08 27
1970 3,694,683,794 2.07% 72,030,018 20.3 4.83 25
1965 3,334,533,703 2.03% 63,812,562 20.8 5.07 22
1960 3,015,470,894 1.93% 55,051,420 21.5 4.7 20
1955 2,740,213,792 1.91% 49,424,189 21.8 5 18
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision. (Medium-fertility variant).
back to top ↑
World Population Forecast (2030-2050)
View population projections for all years (up to 2100)
2030 8,569,124,911 0.81% 67,502,368 32 2.2 58
2035 8,885,210,181 0.73% 63,217,054 33 2.15 60
2040 9,177,190,203 0.65% 58,396,004 34 2.13 62
2045 9,439,639,668 0.57% 52,489,893 35 2.12 63
2050 9,664,378,587 0.47% 44,947,784 36.1 2.1 65
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision. (Medium-fertility variant).
World Population Milestones
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10 Billion (2060)
The United Nations projects world population will reach 10 billion in the year 2060.
9 Billion (2037)
World population is expected to reach 9 billion in the year 2037.
8.2 Billion (current)
The current world population is 8,226,568,741 as of Friday, June 6, 2025 according to the most recent United Nations estimates [1] elaborated by Worldometer. The term “World Population” refers to the human population (the total number of humans currently living) of the world.
8 Billion (2022)
World population has reached 8 billion people in the first half of 2022, according to the United Nations (after being previously estimated to occur on November 15, 2022). The U.S. Census Bureau International Database (IDB) estimates instead that the world population hit 8 billion on September 26, 2023. In their note, the U.S. Census Bureau added: “Emphasis on the word estimates. There are many sources of uncertainty in estimating the global population, and it’s unlikely this population milestone was reached on that exact date” [source]
7 Billion (2010)
According to the latest revision by the United Nations (released in 2024), world population reached 7 Billion in the first half of 2010 (after being previously estimated as occurring on October 31, 2011). The U.S. Census Bureau made a different estimate, for which the 7 billion mark was reached on March 12, 2012.
6 Billion (1998)
According to the latest revision by the United Nations (released in 2024), the 6 billion figure was reached in the first half of 1998 (this was previously estimated as occurring on October 12, 1999, celebrated as the Day of 6 Billion). According to the U.S. Census Bureau instead, the six billion milestone was reached on July 22, 1999, at about 3:49 AM GMT. Yet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the date and time of when 6 billion was reached will probably change because the already uncertain estimates are constantly being updated.
Previous Milestones
5 Billion: 1986
4 Billion: 1974
3 Billion: 1960
2 Billion: 1930
1 Billion: 1804
Summary Table
1 - 1804 (1803 years): 0.2 to 1 bil.
1804 - 2022 (218 years): from 1 billion to 8 billion
