The world population is today expected to hit seven billion just 12 years after hitting the six billion mark in 1999 and 24 years after reaching five billion in 1987.

As the world marks this high population chapter, Rwanda’s population is nearing 11 million.

The seven billion figure was announced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the celebrations are ongoing across the country.

"World population is nearing 7 billion. We are in the midst of history’s most rapid population expansion: the sixth and seventh billion were added in record time, taking only 12 years to reach each of those milestones,” reads a statement from the United Nations.

Demographic experts estimate that about 108 billion people have lived on earth since its existence.

According to the UNFPA Rwanda office, in the country, the symbolic seven billionth baby is expected to be born at Muhima Hospital in Kigali.

The Senate President Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo is expected to hand over the baby kits to the parents.

The statement added: "It’s a milestone, but also a wake-up call, a call to action. This special coverage introduces the basic facts about populous countries, challenges and problems caused by the spikes in human population.”

It is also estimated that another one billion will be hit by 2025, and the world will have 10 billion people before the end of the century.

According to demographers, the world’s population did not reach one billion until 1804, and it took 123 years to hit the two billion in 1927. Then the pace accelerated — three billion in 1959, four billion in 1974, five billion in 1987, and six billion in 1998.

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