Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Angela Giuffrida, Amrit Dhillon, Emine Saner, Caroline Ariba, Constance Malleret, Eva Corlett, Caroline Kimeu, Helen Davidson, Chi Hui Lin, Sam Wolfson and Olayide Oluwafunmilayo Soaga

‘I can’t give up on hope’: As the world’s population passes 8bn, new parents from Italy to India look to the future

An illustration of eight parents before a globe, each holding a baby
‘We have to learn to live with changing times’ … introducing the new generation. Illustration: Sarah Tanat-Jones/The Guardian

Tuesday 15 November marks the day that the global population is projected to reach 8 billion, according to the United Nations – meaning the number of people in the world has more than tripled in the past 70 years. The impact of this is far-reaching, putting additional pressure on already stretched resources and challenging efforts to reduce poverty and inequality.

The average woman now gives birth to two children, down from five in 1950. We spoke to parents around the world who have welcomed a new child in recent months about their hopes and fears for their family.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.