World Population Prospects 2024: Summary of Results

The demographic landscape has evolved greatly, with rapid fertility declines in populous countries likely causing the global population to peak within this century (80 percent probability), contrasting with a decade ago when the probability was around 30 percent. The report uses the analytical framework of the demographic transition to explore population trends and offers policy recommendations for adjusting to changing population sizes, age structures, and distributions. The earlier and lower population peak has significant implications for sustainability, aligning with the 1994 ICPD’s goals to reduce population growth, poverty, and unsustainable consumption. The following key messages are based on World Population Prospects 2024: Summary of Results, prepared by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)