The global population reached 8.09 billion on New Year’s Day 2025, marking an increase of over 71 million people in 2024, according to estimates released by the United States Census Bureau on Monday.
The 0.9% growth recorded in 2024 reflects a slight slowdown compared to 2023, which saw a population increase of 75 million. For January 2025, the Census Bureau predicts 4.2 births and 2.0 deaths occurring every second worldwide, underscoring the dynamics of population growth.
US growth slows but steady
The United States population grew by 2.6 million people in 2024, bringing its total to 341 million as the new year began. This increase is attributed to a combination of births, deaths, and net international migration.
In January 2025 alone, one birth is expected to occur every nine seconds, while one death will happen every 9.4 seconds. Additionally, international migration will contribute one new person to the US population every 23.2 seconds. Overall, the Census Bureau estimates that the US population will grow by one person every 21.2 seconds.
Since the beginning of the 2020s, the US has added approximately 9.7 million people to its population, representing a growth rate of 2.9%. This is a notable decline compared to the 2010s, which saw a 7.4% growth rate—the lowest since the Great Depression era of the 1930s.
The latest figures underscore ongoing global population trends, with regional variations influencing the pace of growth. While growth rates are slowing in developed countries, higher fertility rates and migration patterns continue to drive increases in emerging economies.
The Census Bureau’s projections highlight the challenges and opportunities posed by population changes, ranging from urban planning and healthcare to migration and sustainability efforts.
