The rapid growth of the world's human population in recent history.

1998 Revision of the World Population Estimates and Projections From the UNFPA

World population reached:

  • 1 billion in 1804,
  • 2 billion in 1927 (123 years later)
  • 3 billion in 1960 (33 years)
  • 4 billion in 1974 (13 years)
  • 5 billion in 1987 (12 years)
  • 6 billion in 1999 (12 years)
  • 7 billion in 2013 (14 years - projected)
  • 8 billion in 2028 (15 years - projected)
  • 10.7 (high) or 8.9 (middle) or 7.3 (low) billion projected for 2050

The world is adding about 78 million more people every year, the population of France, Greece and Sweden combined, or equivalent to a city the size of San Francisco every three days.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.