The demographic divide - the inequality in the population and health profiles of rich and poor countries - is widening, a report of non-governmental organization Population Reference Bureau shows. Two sharply different patterns of population growth are evident: Little growth or even decline in most wealthy countries and continued rapid population growth in the world’s poorest countries.
Between now and mid-century, these diverging growth patterns will boost the population share living in today’s less developed countries from 82 percent to 86 percent, according to Carl Haub co-author of the report.
In 2008, world population is 6.7 billion: 1.2 billion people live in regions classified as more developed by the United Nations; 5.5 billion people reside in less developed regions. Japan, Russia, Germany, Portugal and Spain are among the countries whose population is predicted to decline by 2050, while the population in the African countries, including Uganda (263%), Nigeria (261%) and Burundi (220%), will grow considerably.
Bulgaria's population will decline the most, by 35%, in the period 2008-2050, followed by Swaziland (33%) and Georgia (28%). India is expected to overtake China as the world's most populous country by 2050, according to the Population Reference Bureau. The population of India is expected to amount to 1.8 billion by mid-century, while that of China will stand at 1.4 billion.
Unlike in most developed countries, the population in the USA will continue to grow. It is expected to increase by 44% to 438 million until 2050, while the country is expected to retain its third spot in the global ranking.