27 October 2011 Last updated at 00:18
The world's population is expected to hit seven billion in the next few weeks. After growing very slowly for most of human history, the number of people on Earth has more than doubled in the last 50 years. Where do you fit into this story of human life? Fill in your date of birth below to find out.
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Where do you fit into 7 billion? Enter your date of birth to find out:
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Both numbers have been calculated using UN Population Division figures. The first is an estimate of how many people were alive on your date of birth. It is one possible value based on global population figures and estimates of growth rates over time. Data before 1950 is less accurate than figures after that date. The second number includes calculations based on the methodology of scholar Carl Haub, who estimated how many people had been alive since 50,000 B.C. His calculation has been amended by the UN to include additional points in time.
How big is your country's population? To find out, tell us where you live:
POPULATION 10002587
Every hour, there are:
15,347 Births 6,418 Deaths
Average yearly growth
+1.162%
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In developing nations, where improvements in health care and sanitation are seeing death rates fall, birth rates still remain relatively high. This is leading to rapidly rising populations. In fact, 97 out of every 100 new people on the planet are currently born in developing countries. Qatar - which has a large immigrant workforce - has seen its population rise rapidly in recent years.
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In richer economies, although death rates are also low, widely-available birth control and a desire for smaller families keep birth rates subdued. Fewer babies ensures populations level off or even decline. Moldova, although poor by European standards, has seen its population drop mainly because of emigration.
Fastest-growing country
Qatar
+514 people per day
Average 2005-2010 Why?
Fastest-shrinking country
Moldova
-106 people per day
Average 2005-2010 Why?
Life expectancy varies across the world. Are you:
81.6 Female average
77.2 Male average
The average life expectancy in the UK is 81.6 years
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Japan's high life expectancy has been put down to a combination of a healthy diet and good public health provision, which includes regular check-ups.
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The low life expectancy of those born in poorer countries, such as the Central African Republic, is explained by a number of factors, including poverty, conflict, poor access to health care and the high prevalence of Aids.
Highest life expectancy
Japan
82.7 years
Average 2005-2010 Why?
Lowest life expectancy
Central African Republic
45.9 years
Average 2005-2010 Why?
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