AFRICA’S EXPLOSIVE POPULATION GROWTH kelvin thompson MP

Given this, the latest work of the United Nations is very disturbing. It shows that Africa will double – repeat double – in size between now and 2050. It says Africa’s growth will account for much of the explosive growth in the world’s population this century.

It finds that the world is growing by around 83 million people a year, and estimates that the global population will reach 8.3 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 11.2 billion by 2100. It says that there is less than a one in four chance of an end to global population growth by 2100.

Africa has the highest fertility level, with around 4.7 children per woman. Of the additional 2.4 billion people who will be added to the globe between now and 2050, some 1.3 billion will be born in Africa. In countries such as Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, there are signs that fertility rates are again increasing. There is a 90 per cent chance of its current population of 182 million rising to 439 million by 2100, two and a half times its current size.

This is a recipe for humanitarian disaster and misery on an unprecedented scale. It is tragic and disgraceful that no serious attempt is being made to reduce fertility rates in Africa. If this projected population growth happens, it is utterly foreseeable that the flood of people out of Africa will make today’s numbers seem totally insignificant.

All of those with a capacity to make a difference – Europe, the United Nations, refugee advocacy groups, aid organisations – have an obligation to speak up about the unfolding disaster that is Africa’s population growth, and do everything they can to rescue both Africa and the rest of the world from this disaster.