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  • Future of Population Growth: Key Insights from UN’s 2024 Report

    Future of Population Growth: Key Insights from UN’s 2024 Report

    In the last 75 years, the world’s population has grown from 2.5 billion in the 1950s to 8.2 billion today. According to the UN’s World Population Prospects 2024 report, the population will increase by more than two billion people in the next decade but is expected to slow down by the mid-2080s.

    Global population

    By 2024, 63 countries, including China and Germany, will have reached their peak population. Another 126 countries are expected to peak by the second half of the century.

    John Wilmoth from the UN Population Division said, “This is a big change compared to the UN projections from ten years ago.” The current report says there is an 80% chance the world population will peak before 2100, up from a 30% chance predicted a decade ago.

    Countries that have already peaked in population will see a 14% decrease over the next 30 years. The UK’s population is expected to peak around 2072 at 76 million, up from 69 million in 2024, then drop slightly to 74.3 million by 2100.

    The US and 126 other countries, including India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, will keep growing until the second half of the century. Nine countries, including Angola and Nigeria, are expected to double their populations between 2024 and 2054 before peaking.

    Kathleen Mogelgaard from the Population Institute pointed out the growing demographic divide. Over 100 countries will soon peak, while many poorer nations will continue to grow.

    Fast population growth in low-income countries could worsen poverty and hunger. Meanwhile, aging populations in richer countries may lead to challenges in social care and a shrinking workforce. However, UN Under-Secretary Li Junhua sees a shrinking global population as potentially good, as it could reduce environmental pressures.

    “Still, slower population growth won’t remove the need to reduce the average impact of each person’s activities,” he added. Looking ahead, India will remain the most populous country, followed by China, though with a smaller population.

  • WHO Report Highlights Global Failure in Addressing Dementia Crisis

    WHO Report Highlights Global Failure in Addressing Dementia Crisis

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified dementia as a critical global health challenge, second only to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the urgency, a mere 25% of countries have implemented national policies to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

    dementia

    Alzheimer’s: The First Discovery

    Dementia’s history dates back to 1906 when German physician Alois Alzheimer observed significant brain shrinkage and nerve cell abnormalities in an amnesiac patient, marking the first recorded case of the disease.

    The Spectrum of Dementia Symptoms

    Dementia manifests as a range of symptoms, predominantly memory loss, with patients struggling to recall recent events more so than those from the distant past. Neurologist Dr. Sehli Jahan emphasizes that dementia, primarily affecting the elderly, often presents with forgetfulness and difficulty in performing daily tasks.

    The Various Faces of Dementia

    Dementia is not a one-size-fits-all condition; it encompasses various forms, including Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinsonian dementia, each with its unique set of challenges.

    The Science Behind Forgetfulness

    At the core of dementia is the hippocampus, the brain’s memory gateway. Dr. Jahan explains that dementia leads to the deterioration of this crucial region, disrupting the organization and retrieval of memories, particularly recent ones.

    The Role of Amyloid Beta Protein in Alzheimer’s

    Current research links the accumulation of amyloid beta protein to Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that targeting this protein could be key to preserving brain cell health and function.

    With over 55 million people affected worldwide—a number projected to triple by 2050—dementia remains a significant concern. While age is a known risk factor, hereditary predisposition, strokes, infections, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies also contribute to its development. The global community faces the challenge of increasing awareness, improving care, and advancing research to combat this growing health crisis.