Global Development

There are now 8 billion people sharing the planet. The next billion is projected to take another 15 years.

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."

, and John Heilprin

November 15, 2022 . 12:09 PM

2 min read

A traffic jam in Tanzania's largest city Dar es Salaam, one of the fastest growing urban centers in East Africa — A traffic jam in Tanzania's largest city and commerial hub of Dar es Salaam, one of the fastest growing urban centers in East Africa (AN/Hendri Lombard)

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.