The World Population Prospects (WPP) of the United Nations (UN) are one of the most important and comprehensive sources of information on demographic developments worldwide. They provide a sound basis for political, social, economic and corporate planning and design at global, national and regional level. Anyone dealing with global challenges and sustainable development cannot ignore the WPP.
What are the World Population Prospects?
The World Population Prospects are produced by the United Nations Population Division and contain estimates and forecasts on the development of the world’s population. The data and forecasts were updated in 2024. Click here for the website. Here you can find the 10 most important key statements of the new report: Summary.
Content and significance of the WPP
The WPP provide detailed information on various demographic aspects such as birth rates, mortality rates, migration and life expectancy. The data is made available for individual countries, regions and the world as a whole. This information can be used to make important forecasts for the future, e.g. on the growth of the global population, the age structure or the need for resources and infrastructure.
Forecasts and scenarios
A central component of the World Population Prospects are the future forecasts, which are prepared on the basis of various scenarios. The UN develops various models that take into account different birth or mortality rates, for example, in order to show various possible developments. These forecasts and scenarios often extend into the year 2100.
In its 2019 report, the UN still assumed that the global population would grow to 10.9 billion people by 2100 and would initially continue to grow in the 22nd century. This year’s edition, however, sees a peak of 10.3 billion people in 2084, after which the global population will slowly begin to shrink.
Why are WPPs so important?
The World Population Prospects are an indispensable tool for governments, international organizations, companies and scientists. They help to better understand challenges such as climate change, urbanization, migration and resource scarcity and to develop suitable strategies.
They are of particular interest to you as a Bright Future Leader as they enable you to make informed decisions based on solid demographic data. The World Population Prospects provide insights into long-term population trends that have a direct impact on markets, the labor force, consumer trends and global economic structures. With this information, managers can better assess future opportunities and risks, optimize strategic planning and prepare for changes resulting from demographic shifts. In addition, the tool helps to identify growth regions and adapt business strategies to successfully align with the demographic trends of the coming decades.
