3 May 2011: The Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has released its 2010 Revision of the World Population Prospects. The projections indicate that the world population is expected to reach 7 billion on 31 October 2011.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is planning a series of activities to engage partners and the general public to underline the significance of this population milestone on World Population Day, 11 July 2011. UNFPA and several partners, including National Geographic, will launch a social media campaign to engage individuals and groups on different issues related to a world of 7 billion. These will include urbanization, women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability. In addition, UNFPA’s flagship report, “The State of World Population,” to be launched in November 2011, will analyze challenges and opportunities presented by a world of 7 billion.

DESA notes that much of the population increase is projected to come from high-fertility countries, which comprise 39 countries in Africa, nine in Asia, six in Oceania and four in Latin America. [UNFPA Press Release] [UN DESA Press Release] [Publication: 2010 Revision of the World Population Prospects]