This population comparison makes extensive use of the United Nation's World Population Prospects: The 2004 Population Database. Data from this source were used to make the following charts. The United Nations volume, Population Challenges and Development Goals, provides chapters that briefly highlight the world's patterns for the demographic trends examined below.
| There are 12 parts to this comparison. Please click on the part you wish to examine. | |
| Historical Trends | Projections |
| Part 1: Population Growth, 1950 to 2005 | Part 7: Mortality Projections, to 2050 |
| Part 2: Mortality, 1950 to 2005 | Part 8: Fertility Projections, to 2050 |
| Part 3: Fertility, 1950 to 2005 | Part 9: Population Growth Projections, to 2050 |
| Part 4: Estimated Net Migration, 1950 to 2005 | Part 10: Net Migration Projections, to 2050 |
| Part 5: Age Structure, 1950 to 2005 | Part 11: Age Structure Projections, to 2050 |
| Part 6: Urbanization, 1950 to 2005 | Part 12: Urbanization Projections, to 2030 |