World's population set to decline in next few decades for first time in centuries: Study
China's population could come down to 732 million from 1.4 billion currently
New York: The world’s population is for the first time in centuries, set to decline in the next few decades, a new study published in The Lancet has revealed.
The current population of the world is 7.8 billion people and it is expected to peak in the year 2064, according to the study. During the peak, the number is expected to go up to roughly 9.7 billion.
Following the peak, by the end of the century, the population will drop to 8.8 billion by 2100. The study further adds that the last time the global population declines was way back in the 14th century due to the Black Plague.
“The last time that global population declined was in the mid-14th century, due to the Black Plague. If our forecast is correct, it will be the first time population decline is driven by fertility decline, as opposed to events such as a pandemic or famine," Lead study author and Professor of Global Health at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Stein Emil Vollset said.
The study has also predicted that the population of 23 countries could shrink by more than half. The countries include Japan, Thailand, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and South Korea.
Even the most populated country currently, China’s population can come down to 732 million in 2100 from 1.4 billion people currently.
"There are two key factors: improvements in access to modern contraception and the education of girls and women,” said Vollset.
“These factors drive the fertility rate – the average number of children a woman delivers over her lifetime which is the largest determinant of population. The global total fertility rate is predicted to steadily decline, from 2.37 in 2017 to 1.66 in 2100, well below the minimum rate (2.1 live births per woman) considered necessary to maintain population numbers," he added.
Dr. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the Lancet, said in a statement: "The 21st century will see a revolution in the story of our human civilization. Africa and the Arab World will shape our future, while Europe and Asia will recede in their influence. By the end of the century, the world will be multipolar, with India, Nigeria, China, and the US the dominant powers. This will truly be a new world, one we should be preparing for today."
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Mangaluru–Muscat direct flight to resume from March 1: MP Brijesh Chowta
Mangaluru: The long-pending demand of passengers from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and neighbouring Kerala, as well as Non-Resident Indians, has finally been addressed, with direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat set to resume from March 1, said MP Brijesh Chowta.
In a statement, he said a large number of people from the coastal region travel to Muscat for employment and business purposes, and there had been strong demand to restart the direct service. He said he had written to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation requesting the resumption of the flight. Following this, Air India Express will operate the service.
As per the current schedule, the flight will operate twice a week, on Sundays and Tuesdays. The direct service is expected to reduce travel time and provide major relief to NRIs by enabling them to travel directly to their hometown.
The sudden suspension of the Mangaluru–Muscat direct flight had caused serious inconvenience to thousands of passengers from the coastal belt settled in Muscat. Those travelling to Mangaluru were forced to take connecting routes via Delhi, Mumbai or Kannur.
