The real problem is not population explosion, but what the population is doing.

– Radhanath Swami

With more than 7.8 billion people on the planet today, the world may have more than 10 billion people in the next 25 years. Even more amazing? The world could have way more by the end of the century — or it could start shrinking. As with many expert predictions, it all depends.

It’s pretty universally agreed that humanity’s numbers will continue to grow in the near term. What’s unclear is what will happen in the second half of the century. By some estimates there could be almost 14 billion people on planet earth by 2100. The good news is that most experts believe that in the second half of the century, the population will peak at just over 11 billion before it will actually decline. And instead of declining because of disease or massive natural disasters, the reasons for decline may be simply the high number of elderly people that pass because of age.

I read a very interesting take on the world population and how it can be condensed to population percentages that are maybe a little easier to wrap our minds around. I have not fact checked this but thought it was interesting food for thought. Hope you enjoy

The current population of Earth is around 7.8 Billion.

For most people, it is a large figure, that is all.  However, someone has condensed the 7.8 billion in the world into 100 persons, and then into various percentage statistics.

The resulting analysis is relatively much easier to comprehend.

Out of 100:

11 are in Europe

5 are in North America

9 are in South America

15 are in Africa

60 are in Asia

49 live in the countryside

51 live in cities

12 speak Chinese

5 speak Spanish

5 speak English

3 speak Arabic

3 speak Hindi

3 speak Bengali

3 speak Portuguese

2 speak Russian

2 speak Japanese

62 speak their own language.

77 have their own houses.

23 have no place to live.

21 are over-nourished

63 can eat full meals.

15 are under-nourished

1 ate the last meal but did not make it to the next meal.

The daily cost of living for 48 is less than US$2.

87 have clean drinking water

13 either lack clean drinking water or have access to a water source that is polluted.

75 have mobile phones

25 do not.

30 have internet access

70 do not have conditions to go online.

7 received university education

93 did not attend college.

83 can read

17 are illiterate

33 are Christians

22 are Muslims

14 are Hindus

7 are Buddhists

12 are other religions

12 have no religious beliefs

26 live less than 14 years

66 died between 15 – 64 years of age

8 are over 65 years old

If you have your own home, eat full meals & drink clean water, have a mobile phone, can surf the internet, and have gone to college, YOU are in the miniscule privileged lot. (in the less than 7% category).

Amongst 100 persons in the world, only 8 can live or exceed the age of 65.

If you are over 65 years old, be content & grateful.  Cherish life, grasp the moment. You did not leave this world before the age of 64 years like the 92 persons who have gone before you. You are already the blessed amongst mankind.

Take good care of your own health because nobody cares more than you yourself!

Cherish every remaining moment.

Hope you all have an AWESOME weekend!!!

Brian McCullough, RE/MAX of Nanaimo

#1-5140 Metral Drive

Nanaimo, BC V9T 2K8

Office: (250) -751 – 1223

Email: brian@mmshomes.com