The world's population has likely crossed the 8 billion mark, the United Nations projected on Tuesday, calling it "a milestone in human development" largely due to longer lifespans from improved public health and nutrition.
"The milestone is an occasion to celebrate diversity and advancements while considering humanity's shared responsibility for the planet," U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said.
It only took a dozen years to add another billion people to the planet and reach what the U.N. called the "Day of 8 Billion."
"This unprecedented growth is due to the gradual increase in human lifespan owing to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine. It is also the result of high and persistent levels of fertility in some countries," the United Nations said.
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