Global Scans · Population · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The global population is expected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, up 1 billion from 2016. Western economies are declining in numbers and emerging economies witnessing burgeoning growth.

• [New] Florida presents a unique risk landscape given established vector presence, infected wildlife reservoirs, and a large population with ties to Latin America. Infection Control Today
• [New] In 2026, an estimated 10 million people - that is about two-thirds of the population of South Sudan, including over 600,000 refugees - will need humanitarian aid. Secretary-General
• [New] As the US gets older the ratio of (traditionally) working-age population to over-65 population will shrink. Conversable Economist - In Hume's spirit, I will attemp
• [New] As result, all of US population growth will be tradeable to immigration - and the US population growth rates is headed for zero in the next 30 years or so. Conversable Economist - In Hume's spirit, I will attemp
• [New] In 2026, the next major shift in genomics will come from the arrival of a truly affordable long-read genome: Researchers need genomes that are both highly accurate and affordable enough to power large population studies, AI model development, and emerging clinical opportunities. Pubs - Bio-IT World
• [New] In 2025 and 2026, with the population expected to surpass 8 billion, the pressure on agricultural yields has intensified, placing increased scrutiny on efficiency, resource management, and sustainability. Farmonaut
• [New] In the Census Bureau's high immigration scenario - in which net immigration averages some 1.5m per year - the US population would grow 13% by 2050 and 28% by the end of the century. The Guardian
• [New] Because the non-Hispanic white population will keep on shrinking regardless, the Census Bureau projects that it will lose 3.6 million people over the next five years, almost 11 million in the decade after that and more than 14 million in the subsequent one. The Guardian
• [New] 60% of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2029, which amplifies the need to reduce carbon emissions and adopt new mobility solutions. Market Data Forecast
• [New] The high ratio of the working-age population in comparison with the dependent population, aged between 0 and 14 years plus 65-years-old and above, offers a demographic window of opportunity for Bangladesh. The Daily Star
• [New] Autonomous driving availability in the U.S. will more than double, from about 15% to over 30% of the urban population, within a single year. Ainvest
• [New] The world's aging population will lead to a higher demand for medical care, since people require more of it in their golden years. Nasdaq
• [New] Australia's population growth is projected to slow to a record low of 1.3% in 2026, down from 1.5% last year. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] The European Union's working age population is projected to decline by an average 0.6% each year over the next two decades. LGT Private Banking
• [New] The U.S. population is projected to grow by 15 million in 30 years, a smaller estimate than in previous years, due to President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration policies and an expected lower fertility rate. Arkansas Online
• [New] Gen Z currently makes up 30% of the world's population and is expected to account for 27% of the workforce by 2026. Qureos
• [New] Social Security and Medicare, already buckling under an aging population, will be under increasing pressure with even fewer-than-expected people in the labour force paying taxes. Newser LLC
• [New] The U.S. population is now projected to grow from 349 million in 2026 to 357 million in 2035. NPR
• [New] The U.S. population is expected to stop growing by 2056, maintaining a size similar to the previous year. NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima
• [New] As a result of access to better education, healthcare, and clean energy, the global population will dip to around six billion by the year 2100. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com
• [New] Between 2.5 and 4.2 billion people (51% of the world's population) will be at risk of undernourishment by 2050 without agricultural innovation for climate adaptation in the intervening years [315]. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Drought poses a significant threat to animals and crops, affecting up to 45% of the world's agricultural land, which is home to 38% of the global population. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Freshwater demand for food production is expected to double by 2050, supporting a population of 10 billion people, but its availability remains uncertain due to rising concerns about water scarcity and socio-economic impacts. PubMed Central (PMC)

Last updated: 15 January 2026