Global population to rise to 9.7bn in 2050 - French study

The world's population will rise to 9.7 billion in 2050 from the current level of 7.1 billion, according to a bi-annual report by the French Institute of Demographic Studies (Ined). It projected there would be 10 to 11 billion people on the planet by the end of the century, AFP reported. A parallel UN study in June said the global population would swell to 9.6 billion in 2050. Ined said Africa would be home to a quarter of the world's population in 2050 with 2.5 billion people, more than double the current level of 1.1 billion. The world's most populous nation is currently China with 1.3 billion people, followed by India (1.2 billion). In 2050, India with 1.6 billion will overtake China, Ined said.