**Global Population to Peak at 10.8 Billion Before Decline: UN Report**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 30, 2025*
The global population is projected to continue increasing until around the year 2080, reaching a peak of approximately 10.8 billion people, according to a recent United Nations report. Following this peak, the population is expected to decline, with a reduction of nearly 100 million people by 2100 compared to the peak figure.
### Declining Birth Rates Drive Population Changes
This population decline is predicted to be most significant in wealthy, developed nations. Factors such as increased education and rights for women are influencing family planning decisions, contributing to falling birth rates. Sociologist Stuart Gietel-Basten from Hong Kong University told *Nature* that low fertility rates reflect “broken systems and broken institutions” that prevent people from having the families they desire. He described this situation as a “real crisis.” Economic pressures, including rising living costs, also discourage many from parenthood.
### Social Implications and Challenges
The potential decline in population raises pressing concerns about the sustainability of social support programs, especially those aimed at assisting the elderly. Some have controversially suggested imposing taxes on individuals who choose not to have children as a way to mitigate these challenges. However, experts caution against punitive approaches, emphasizing the need for systemic changes that support family planning choices and help maintain a balanced global population.
### Toward Progressive Solutions
Experts speaking with *Nature* recommend implementing progressive social policies to address the shifting demographic landscape. Suggestions include offering paid parental leave, reducing child care costs, and eliminating child poverty. Rebecca Zerzan, senior editor of the UN Population Fund’s *State of World Population* report, stated that adopting such policies would foster a society where “people are happier, healthier, and able to pursue education alongside work.”
Addressing the demographic challenges ahead requires thoughtful policy reforms that empower individuals and strengthen social systems rather than resorting to punitive measures.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/world-population-will-decline-by-100m-before-year-2100-un/story