We’re growing and growing: World’s population to reach 7 billion this month – Europe, World News – Independent.ie.

In Western Europe , Japan and Russia, the milestone comes amid worries about low birthrates and aging populations. In Chinaand India, the two most populous nations, it’s an occasion to reassess policies that have already slowed once-rapid growth.   But in sub-Saharan Africa, the demographic news is mostly sobering as the region staggers under the double burden of the world’s highest birthrates and deepest poverty. The regional population of nearly 900 million could reach 2 billion in 40 years at current rates, accounting for about half of the projected global population growth over that span.