World faces paradox over demography

Population growth set to vary widely among subregions, especially in Asia

As the international community observes this year's World Population Day on July 11, policymakers across the world, especially in Asia, face a demographic paradox.

The United Nations estimates the global population may hit 9.7 billion in 2050 from the present 7.7 billion. However, a wide discrepancy among subregions is apparent across the world.