Population hits 8 billion, creating many challenges

LAGOS, NIGERIA >> The world’s population will likely hit an estimated 8 billion people, according to a United Nations projection, with much of the growth coming from developing nations in Africa. The U.N.’s Day of 8 Billion milestone is more symbolic than precise, officials are careful to note in a wide-ranging report released over the summer that makes some staggering projections. The upward trend threatens to leave even more people in developing countries further behind, as governments struggle to provide enough classrooms and jobs for a rapidly growing number of youth, and food insecurity becomes an even more urgent problem. It projected the world’s population will reach around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100.