UN Releases Latest World Demographic Trends

The United Nations has released its latest "World Demographic Trends" report, current up through 2004. Among the more interesting statistics:

• The current world population stands at about 6.5 billion people, will likely reach 7 billion by 2012, and should peak at 8.9 billion by 2050, assuming birth and mortality rates remain on track.
• The vast majority of the world's population in 2050 will live in the developing world.
• Ten percent of the world's population is aged 60 or older this year. This demographic will more than double by 2050.
• By 2030, 60% of the world's population will live in cities.
• Tokyo, currently the world's most populous city, will remain so in 2015. Mumbai (Bombay) and Delhi in India will surpass Mexico City in size to become the second and third largest cities, respectively. The New York-Newark metro area -- America's most populated city -- will be the world's sixth most populated city in 2015.
  
• Of the 22 most populated cities in 2015, only four will be in North America or Europe.
  

Source: WorldChanging