THE world in 1950 looked very different from how it does now. Europe was home to 22% of the world's 2.5 billion people. Germany, Britain, Italy and France all counted among the 12 most populous countries. But strong economic growth in Asia coupled with high fertility rates in Africa have contributed to a big regional shift in the global population. The UN's latest World Population Prospects expects the world to grow from 7.2 billion people today to 9.6 billion in 2050. This is 300m more than it had previously estimated, and reflects increases to the fertility rates in sub-Saharan countries such as Nigeria and Ethiopia, and other populous countries. More than half of the extra 2.4 billion people in 2050 will be African. India will swell to 1.6 billion people; it is on track to overtake China in 2028. China's population will peak in 2030; India's is predicted to do so around 2063. By 2100 the UN forecasts the population to reach 10.9 billion—and still be rising. It will also be much older. The median age is forecast to rise to 41 years old from 29 today, and around 28% of the world (almost 3 billion people) will be over 60.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2013/06/daily-chart-10?fsrc=scn/fb/te/bl/ed/sizeofitall

Wow! This could be a blessing or a curse.

This will clearly reduce our oil per capita. And with crude oil likely to loose its appeal (as the world's major source of energy), we need to begin NOW to quickly diversify the economy.

This huge population will need jobs, infrastructure, housing, etc. Failure to begin now to plan is recipe for future disaster.

Patriotic forward thinking leaders are urgently required to drive the economy. Genuine leaders who can inspire and galvanize this population to become competitively productive.

Come March 28th, do your country a duty and vote wisely, devoid of parochial sentiments. We are in a critical moment in the nation's history.

#GodBlessNigeria
#IHaveDecided

Some of the comments..

Mama MelJun
With open predictions on fertility rates and population increase in Nigeria, one would expect that the country would prepare to match these predictions and statistics with improved govt policies that would boost its economic growth, judging from the vast natural resources it has been blessed with. However, selfishness in govt and high level of corruption always pose as the greatest obstacles for the country....Nigerian's have therefore resolved overtime to hope in their religious believes that someday a messiah would be born to deliver the populace..

NisileJun
rapid population growth in sub saharan Africa can be a challenge or a potential for Africa and the rest of the world.It will be a challenge if we let the population multiply as it is projected without putting in measures of increasing the populations productivity.some countries, for instance Malawi, a small country, has few people (15 million projected to be ) but it is already having problems with water and food shortages, 99% of the households use wood or charcoal as sources of energy, there is underemployment , illiteracy and poor health indicators.Its population is young 66% is under 25 years of age but the TFR is at 6.

The potential can be realised if socio and economic policies were implemented effectively.to make the population productive through increased functional literacy and increasing agricultural productivity.A productive and economically empowered population will imply an vailable market for goods and services and thus contributing to economic growth

YT3E727n3GSep
If this proves correct, going to be very crowded in Nigeria!

Toto2020Jun
I still doubt Africa's population prediction, food and stability will probably prevent countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia or Congo for ever reaching 2050 figures. Asia's fertility rates have dropped everywhere including Bangladesh and India, they are almost at the 2.1 below replacement level.

Spectacularj1Jun
No way way Nigeria is going to get that big. Instability caused by population growth will see to that.

Datz d real d statistics buh we won't attain it cous almighty america won't allow it..

Dey failed wiv ebola, so watch out 4 anoda deadly virus, its all aimed @ balancing d world.

Sure b4 dat date 3rd world war would play its own part of reduction while d middle east is always playing its own part since adam nd eve..

menix:
Datz d real d statistics buh we won't attain it cous almighty america won't allow it..

Dey failed wiv ebola, so watch out 4 anoda deadly virus, its all aimed @ balancing d world.

Sure b4 dat date 3rd world war would play its own part of reduction while d middle east is always playing its own part since adam nd eve..

US can only try they can't stop us. We just need the right leaders with the right economy policies and healthcare because those are the two factors in sustaining population growth.

A blessing or curse God bless Nigeria!

temitemi1:
A blessing or curse God bless Nigeria!

A blessing if we manage it well, a curse if we continue at this pace

Total revolution in 2050, a new nigeria will be born.


How old i go be by then?

hmmm

And apc don't want this. they want to "change" this. God help us all

ritababe:
Total revolution in 2050, a new nigeria will be born.


How old i go be by then?

Old enough to enjoy her blessings..

Truth234:


Old enough to enjoy her blessings..

amen

yes we are moving forward although its a gradual process.one thing is crystal clear;the future is bright for Nigeria..
lets consolidate the gains of democracy by reelecting the incumbent President for a second term in office.
The change they(APC) promise to bring is not found in them.lets look before leaping.

Nigeria's population is definitely a curse. Overpopulation affects quality of life. The fertility rate in the North is 7.0. We need to educate people and put stern family control measures in place.

Akbee:
yes we are moving forward although its a gradual process.one thing is crystal clear;the future is bright for Nigeria..
lets consolidate the gains of democracy by reelecting the incumbent President for a second term in office.
The change they(APC) promise to bring is not found in them.lets look before leaping.

The report/story is about population, not economic growth or development.

all those almajiris that cannot take care of themselves n will go n marry 4wives n have 6 chirren for each........


that explains why this is possible

What have we done with the population we have now? More joblessness because government won't utilize the population for economic growth but rather political growth.

It won't be funny if we still have same crop of leaders oòo

President Muhammadu Buhari please clean the system

For our generation yet unborn

God bless you sir