It took 200,000 years for the human population to reach a billion – and only 200 years to reach seven billion.
But growth has slowed as women have fewer babies on average. So when will our global population peak?
Check out the American Museum of Natural History’s animation above which chronicles human population over time. See the slight downward blip, thanks to the bubonic plague, and growth accelerate during the Industrial Revolution.
Originally published by Cosmos as Watch the human population skyrocket
Cosmos
Curated content from the editorial staff at Cosmos Magazine.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.