We are now 8.23+ Billion in the world. Maybe 100+ Billion human births were on earth, so far. By 2050, we expect to hit 10 Billion; and 12 Billion by 2100. By this time, we expect our numbers to start declining. India is the most populous, with 1.46+ Billion, followed by China closely. Then. It is the USA, Indonesia, and Pakistan in that order. Youth, under 35, constitute 65% in India. The Indian population is growing, but aging rapidly.
We took 300,000 years to reach a billion; and just 200 more years to reach 8 billion from 1 billion. The peak growth rate is about 2.1%, some 50 years ago. Now, it is about 1.1% or so. Current Median age is 31. We moved from hunter-gatherer till some 10,000 years ago; to include fishing, domesticating animals, to cultivating plants over 7,000 – 8,000 years till 5,000 years ago; to storing food produce, increasing the productivity with irrigation, settling down in permanent villages till 1,500-2,000 years ago; to new crop, industrial, information age now. Staple rice, wheat, maize etc., have become staples of the world.
Migrations brought in diseases and decimated indigenous, local populations. Vaccinations, medical, hygiene-sanitary improvements, material condition improvements helped in population growth in a big way. 8 times. Over the last two centuries. Official days: 5 Billion day; 11 July 1987; 6 Billion day; 12 October 1999; 7 Billion day, 31 October 2011; 8 Billion day, 15 November 2022. Asia houses60%+ population, followed by Africa.
Life expectancy is 73+ years, 71 for men, 76 for women. The global fertility rate is 2.44 per woman. 10% are extremely poor. On the other hand, 10% are having a decent life, economically speaking. 90% literacy with primary education levels. 65% internet users. Han Chinese – the largest ethnic group – is 19%. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and unaffiliated are the top 4 religions. English, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, French, Arabic, Tamil. Telugu, Bengali, Marathi et al are the top languages.
Is there an issue of food-nutrition sufficiency? Or is it manufactured, created, artificial? Is there a demographic dividend to India et al? Are we losing it, declining with time? Equity, Gender equity, and parity – will we be there? Will we be a more equal world? Will we be self-sufficient, sustainable, decent-living society members?
Are we committed to our agenda, purpose? Loyalist. Are we action, execution, and operations focused? Driver. Can we question, reflect, re-figure our ways forward? Disruptor. Are we all rolled-into one? Integrator. A rare piece. Purpose aligned. Challenge the vehicle taken for the purpose. Redesign the path and vehicle when needed. Towards aspiration-ambition-vision, balancing leading, holding, changing. Holding the centre, stretching the edges. Building for the future. We need them, we need to nurture them, for moving forward; for transitions; for redesigning, restructuring; for changing gears. Can we evolve into one (person, team)? Transcending anchoring the agenda, aligning with leadership, status quo. Transcending being skilled, responsive, and dependable. Transcending challenging norms, taking risks, pushing boundaries. Lest we fall, deform, degenerate, disappear. Can we be them, can we work with them, can we join with them? Can we be, become one with the spirit? Can we multiply ourselves?
Yes, we can. If we coexist, flowing. For ends, without attachment. In N? phalasamrddhiyoga for 7L.