UN Report Puts Nigeria As 4th Most Populous Nation In 2050

The United Nations has projected that the current world population of over 7.2 billion is to increase by 1 billion over the next 12 years. Also, the global population will exceed 9.6 billion by 2050, according to the UN report. The growth will occur mainly in developing countries, with more than a half in Africa.
The Population Reference Bureau has come up with a report of the nations that will be the most populous by 2050. Here is a top ten count down, where Nigeria ranks among the top.
10. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is estimated to have about 98.1 million people and is likely to grow to 165 million by 2050.

Democratic Republic of Congo has 45% of its population to be under 15. It may reach 194 million by 2050.

Bangladesh, the 8th largest country in the world, is likely to grow to about 202 million.

With a declined fertility rate of 1.8 children per mother, Brazil is projected to reach 226 million by 2050.

The birth rate in Pakistan is very high when compared to that of India. Experts expect that the population will grow from 199 to 344 million in 2050.

By 2050 there will be an additional 110 million to the current population of Indonesia, raising it to 336 million.

Africa’s most populous black nation has a current population of over 170 million, and with the fertility rate of 5.5 children per woman, the estimate for 2050 is 398 million.

From all indications, the US will remain the third most populous country in the world. With lifetime expectancy rising and net migration figures high, the US is likely to have a population of 398 million.

An alteration from the top list for most populous nation is that of China coming in second place. Speculations have it that by 2030 the most populous country in the world will be surpassed, then its statistics would have grown to 1.42 billion and then to become 1.366 billion in 2050.

To move China off the top spot will be India, which is expected to add a whooping 300 million to its current population as to reach 1.66 billion, over 1.5 times the size of Western Europe. This is regardless of India’s high infant mortality rate, low urban population percentage, net migration not inclusive and a male gender skewed demography.

With the geometric progression at which the world’s population is increasing, there are fears that if proper planning is not done from this moment, then most of the countries within this list will have a lot of issues to handle. Fears are arising as to the best method to tackle matters of accommodation, feeding, education and job security.
According to Wu Hongbo, the UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, understanding the demographic changes that are likely to unfold over the coming years, as well as the challenges and opportunities that they present for achieving sustainable development, is key to the design and implementation of the new development agenda.