The planet's population could drop to six billion by the end of the century if there is "unprecedented investment" in the fight against poverty and inequality.

Sky News writes about this with reference to a new study.

Based on current economic trends, experts say the population could peak at 8.6 billion in 2050 before falling to 7 billion in 2100.

According to the researchers, economic development is closely related to lower birth rates because it improves access to education and health services.

The researchers used the Earth4All modeling system to explore two potential outcomes for this century.

In one scenario, called the "Giant Leap Forward," the population would drop to six billion with only specific investments in education and health "along with extraordinary policy changes on food and energy security, inequality and gender equity."

"We know that rapid economic development in low-income countries has a huge impact on birth rates," explained Earth4All Project Leader and Director of the Norwegian Business School's Center for Sustainable Development, Per Espen Stocknes.

Fertility rates fall as girls gain access to education and women expand their economic opportunities and access better health care, he said.

The researchers also found that population is not the main driver of climate change, although a smaller population is considered better for the environment.

We will remind that according to UN estimates, as of November last year, the world's population is 8 billion people.

More than a third of the world's population lives in India and China. 

Previously, demographers warned that 2023 will be the year of a catastrophic drop in the birth rate in Ukraine.

Read also:

  • "There will be no baby boom, but the workers will return": an expert on life in Ukraine after the war

  • In Russia, they announced a record decrease in the population and a decline in the birth rate

  • Evidence of genocide in Ukraine by the Russian Federation was not found, but there are questions - the UN commission of inquiry

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