rationalskepticism.org

The world's population may keep on increasing for the rest of this century. This will lead to a great challenge for food supplies, social cohesion and healthcare.

According to an analysis, there is a 70 percent chance that the population on Earth will continue rising from 7 billion presently to 11 billion in 2100.

The analysis overturns 20 years of consensus that the population of the world and the problem it brings will reach its peak by 2050 at 9 billion people.

Another important factor was included in the analysis for the first time. According to new data, HIV/AIDS is not claiming as many lives as it was being anticipated. "Twenty years ago the impact on population was absolutely gigantic. Now the accessibility of antiretroviral drugs is much greater and the epidemic appeared to have passed its peak and was not quite as bad as was feared." Raftery said.