Demographic facts for the world population

This page presents information on demographic facts for the world population including population size and density and age distribution and life expectancy.

Population size and density

The estimated population of the world in 2002 is 6.3 billion ( Table 1.11) and it is increasing by 78 million each year.

Table 1.1 shows population measures for the regions of the world in 2002.

Download this table (23.5KB)

Back to top ^

It is estimated that the world population will reach 7 billion in 2013, 8 billion in 2028 and 9 billion in 2054 1. Around 80% of the world’s population live in the less developed regions and 95% of the annual increase in population is in these regions 1. By 2050, the share of the world population living in the currently less developed regions will have risen to 90% 1.

China is the country with the biggest population in the world with 21% of the total world population. The second biggest is India with 17% and by 2050 India is expected to overtake China to become the most populous country on earth 1. These two countries alone contributed more than 35% of the growth in the population of the world between 1995-2000 1. The most densely populated countries are Macau, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. The least densely populated countries are Western Sahara, Mongolia and Namibia 1.

Back to top ^

Age distribution and life expectancy

The population of the world is ageing; this is important because cancer predominantly affects older people. The median age increased from 23.5 years in 1950 to 26.4 years in 1999. By 2050, the median age is projected to reach 37.8 years. The proportion of people in the world aged 60 or older will rise from the current 10% to 22% in 2050 1. Increases in the numbers of older people will inevitably lead to more cases of cancer, even if current rates remain the same.

There are big variations in the age structures of populations of more developed compared with less developed countries ( Table 1.11). Currently 20% of the population in the more developed regions are aged over 60 compared with 8% in the less developed regions. By 2050 these proportions are expected to rise to 33% and 19% respectively. The countries with the oldest populations in the world include Italy, Japan and Germany and the countries with the youngest include Uganda, Niger and Yemen 1.

World life expectancy at birth is now at 65 years, having increased by a remarkable 20 years since 1950. By 2050, life expectancy is expected to exceed 76 years 1. People in Japan have the highest life expectancy at birth at 80 years and the lowest life expectancy is 37 in Sierra Leone ( Table 1.11).

Back to top ^

The incidence of cancer worldwide

Each year 10.9 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, because of the size of its population most of these people (45%) are in Asia ( Table 2.11).

Download this table (21.5KB)

There is a five-fold difference in male cancer incidence rates worldwide and a four-fold difference in female rates. Male rates are highest in the USA, Hungary and New Zealand and are lowest in Niger, Gambia and the Congo. Female cancer incidence rates are highest in the USA, Israel and New Zealand and lowest are in Tunisia, Gambia and Oman 1).

The UK male incidence rate ranks 25th in the world and the female rate ranks 8th.

Cancer prevalence

It is estimated that worldwide there are 24.6 million people alive who have received a diagnosis of cancer in the last five years. Around half of these people live in Europe and North America. Prevalence includes people with a diagnosis who will be cured and others who will die, and reflects both the incidence of cancer and its associated survival pattern.

Back to top ^

Mortality from cancer worldwide

Each year 6.7 million people worldwide die from cancer. Because of the size of its population around half of these people (50%) are in Asia). Around 12% of deaths worldwide are from cancer. The proportion of all deaths caused by cancer varies, from only 4% in Africa to 23% in Northern America ( Figure 3.11-2). In the UK around 24% of all deaths are caused by cancer.

Download this chart (43.0KB)

Back to top ^

Commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide

Overall, cancers of the lung, breast, bowel, stomach and prostate account for almost half of all cancer diagnosed worldwide. However, the types of cancer being diagnosed vary enormously across the world. The map below provides data on the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the different regions of the world. You can download the data in an excel spreadsheet, or order a full colour A1 wall map for just £10.

Map: The most commonly diagnosed cancers in the different regions of the world, 2002 estimates

Back to top ^

Lung cancer

Each year approximately 1.4 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer and it accounts for 12% of all cases ( Figure 4.11).

Download this chart (21.5KB)

Back to top ^

Since 1975 the number of people being diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide has doubled ( Figure 4.21-5), it is now the most common cancer.

Download this chart (21.5KB)

Back to top ^

Lung cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer accounting 18% of all deaths from cancer ( Figure 4.31).

Download this chart (23.0KB)

Back to top ^

The incidence rate for male lung cancer varies by twelve fold between the different regions of the world, while the female rate varies by more than thirty fold. Five-year survival rates for lung cancer are consistently poor at between 7-14% 6 so mortality patterns follow incidence patterns closely. The most important cause of lung cancer is tobacco smoking, and incidence rates closely reflect the history of tobacco smoking. For more information and statistics see our section on lung cancer.

Back to top ^

Breast cancer

One in ten of all new cancers diagnosed and almost one in four cancers diagnosed in women worldwide is a cancer of the female breast ( Figure Three1). More than 1.1 million women are diagnosed each year and the numbers of women being diagnosed annually worldwide has almost doubled since 1975 ( Figure Four1-5). Incidence rates of breast cancer are increasing in most countries, and the changes are usually greatest in areas where rates were previously low. Breast cancer is the main cause of death from cancer in women globally 1( Figure Five1). For more information and statistics see our section on breast cancer.

Back to top ^

Bowel cancer

Each year an estimated one million people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and it accounts for 9% of all cases ( Figure Three 1). There have been steady increases worldwide in the numbers of people being diagnosed with bowel cancer over the last 25 years ( Figure Four1-5). Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer worldwide accounting for 8% of deaths from cancer ( Figure Five1). For more information and statistics see our section on bowel cancer.

Back to top ^

Stomach cancer

In the mid 1970s stomach cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide ( Figure Four1-5), but falls in incidence in the West mean that it is now ranks fourth, accounting for around 9% of all new cases ( Figure Three 1). For more information and statistics see our section on stomach cancer.

Back to top ^

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide ( Figure Three 1) and there have been large increases in the incidence of prostate cancer over the last 25 years ( Figure Four1-5). For more information and statistics see our section on prostate cancer.

Back to top ^

This site also includes international data for the following types of cancer:

• Liver cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Oesophageal cancer
• Oral cancer

Back to top ^