Young and growing: An animated infographic showing how the global population is set to change. <br /><br />World demographics<br />At midcentury, the median age in rich countries in North America, Europe and Oceania was around 30 years old. <br /><br />And in poor regions like Asia, Africa and Latin America it was closer to 20 years. <br /><br />Since then it’s risen considerably as people have fewer babies and live longer. <br /><br />But Africa’s high fertility rate and deaths from war, famine and diseases like AIDS kept the median age low. <br /><br />Though it is forecast to increase as people have longer, healthier lives. <br /><br />In the rich world, the increase will taper off, while the median age in poor countries will continue to surge. <br /><br />A similar trend is happening in terms of population. <br /><br />At midcentury, there were 2.5 billion people. <br /><br />In most places, the population grew at a slow but steady rate -- and is expected to mostly plateau to 2050. <br /><br />In Asia, the number of people ballooned -- and is forecast to taper off. <br /><br />But in Africa, the population increased tremendously -- and will continue to do so. <br /><br />In fact, Africa’s population is poised to more than double to almost two and a half billion people. <br /><br />And that will help make Africa the last, great emerging market.<br /><br /> For more video content from The Economist visit our website: http://econ.st/1pg2Qyx
