Lancet Journal Latest Study Report: Of course, India and China are in the news all over the world because of their high population, but increasing population is not a problem of the whole world. If we look at it from the world’s point of view, the global fertility rate is declining rapidly and if the fertility rate declines at the same pace, then in the coming 74 years there will be only a nominal population left in the world.
According to a recent study published in the Lancet journal, the Earth is home to 8 billion people from different countries and continents, but it is poised for massive population change in the coming times. The study estimates a steep decline in global fertility rates, indicating deep implications for the future of humanity.
Fertility rate is continuously falling
This study states that since the 1950s, there has been a continuous decline in the global fertility rate in all countries. This trend is expected to continue until the end of the century, which will significantly reduce population growth. The fertility rate has fallen from 4.84 in the 1950s to 2.23 in 2021 and is projected to further decline to 1.59 by 2100. This estimate has been mentioned in the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2021 conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. This study, published on Wednesday (20 March) in the Lancet journal, presents a sobering picture of humanity’s demographic trajectory.
Many factors are responsible behind the decline
Dr. Christopher Murray, director of IHME and senior author of the study, blames various factors for the decline in fertility rates. These include increased opportunities for women in education and employment, widespread availability of contraception, rising costs associated with child-rearing, and societal preference for smaller families.
This study is like a warning to the world
This study has revealed that in 2021, the fertility rate in 46 percent of the countries was below the replacement level. This figure is expected to reach 97 percent by the year 2100. This data suggests that almost all countries around the world will experience sub-replacement with a sharp decline in fertility levels at the end of the century. According to this study, as humanity stands on the cusp of unprecedented demographic change, the Lancet study serves as a warning that we must deal with the challenges posed by declining fertility rates and ensure the sustainability of future generations. Underlines the urgent need for proactive measures.
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