India census: population goes up to 1.21bn

India's population has grown by 181 million people over the past decade to 1.21bn, according to the 2011 census.

More people now live in India than in the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and Bangladesh combined.

India is on course to overtake China as the world's most populous nation by 2030, but its growth rate is falling, figures show. China has 1.3bn people.

Scotland's life expectancy amongst lowest in Europe

Scotland has one of the lowest life expectancy levels in the EU, according to new figures from the Scottish government.

Men in Scotland are expected to live for 76 years and women for 80 years. The Scottish figures are almost four years below European averages of 79.7 years for men and 84.8 years for women.

Glasgow has the lowest life expectancy in Scotland for men and women, while men in the Borders and women on Orkney are expected to live longest.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12898723

China to create largest mega city in the world with 42 million people

China is planning to create the world's biggest mega city by merging nine   cities to create a metropolis twice the size of Wales with a population of   42 million.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8278315/China-to-create-largest-mega-city-in-the-world-with-42-million-people.html

Africa's cities to triple in size

The number of people living in African cities will triple over the next 40 years and by 2050 60% of Africans will be city dwellers, a UN report has said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11823146?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Percentage of global population living in cities, by continent

Studies have shown city dwellers have smaller carbon footprints than their countries' national averages.

Since 1950 there has been a huge worldwide increase in the percentage of population living within cities. The trend shows no sign of stopping - for the next 20 years, the flow of people is predicted to continue soaring.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/aug/18/percentage-population-living-cities

How can we feed 9 billion?

The world’s population is set to soar in the coming decades – but food   supplies are already under pressure. Meanwhile, Britain and Europe have   turned their backs on a great agricultural revolution.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/8258167/How-can-we-feed-9-billion.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

On the map

Until recently, what is often billed as one of Africa's largest slums
- Kibera, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi - was a blank spot on official maps. But
a group of volunteers have been training young people living there to create
their own digital map of the area.


The result is the first complete map of Kibera, which it is hoped can form
the basis of plans to improve the area and the lives of its residents

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12164081?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The population explosion

This year, there will be 7 billion people on Earth. But how will the planet will cope with the expanding population – and is there anything we can, or should, do to stop it?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/14/population-explosion-seven-billion

Japan fears for future as number of new adults falls to record low

http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/10/japan-new-adults-record-low?cat=world&type=article

Map of Wealth Gap

http://i.imgur.com/OBeYU.jpg

Interesting Interactive Map showing the gap between developed and developing countries. The map shows the spread of 'Quality of life' cities as well as areas of healvily guarded borders.

Thousands flee Burma to escape election violence

Refugees given food and shelter in makeshift Thailand camps after two days of sporadic clashes between rebels and military.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/nov/09/burma-election-violence-refugees-thailand