What will a population of 8 billion people mean for us and the planet?

The United Nations has declared that the world’s population will pass 8 billion people on 15 November. Our growing numbers have a variety of implications, from health to the environment

By Michael Le Page

On 15 November, the world will pass a major milestone, as the human population hits 8 billion for the first time. Of course, it is impossible to know exactly when we will reach this threshold, but the United Nations has chosen this date to mark the occasion, based on its modelling.

Coming just 11 years after the human population hit 7 billion, it might seem as if the number of people in the world is growing faster than ever. But, in fact, the growth rate …