A new study published by the Lancet journal expected the world's population growth rate to shrink after mid-century, and the world population to hit 8.8 billion in 2100, about 2 billion lower than the UN's estimates.
According to the study carried out by researchers at the Seattle-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the world population will likely peak in 2064 at around 9.7 billion, and then decline to about 8.8 billion by 2100.
The study suggests that this demographic decline would be accompanied by an inverting population pyramid, which will have "profound negative consequences" on the economy and social systems.
The new figures contradict with the projections of a recent UN report; the organization estimated the world population to jump from 7.7 billion to 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.
Lead author Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), told AFP: "These forecasts suggest good news for the environment, with less stress on food production systems and lower carbon emissions. However, the inversion of population pyramids will have profound negative consequences for the economy and societies."
But Murray noted that these figures can change in many countries that may consider changing their policies.
Founded in 2007 and supported by the Bill and & Melinda Gates Foundation, the IHME had become a global reference for health statistics.
