The global population is surpassing 8 billion this week — despite slowing fertility rates and aging populations, according to the U.N.

What we’re watching: The average human is older than they used to be. Earthlings’ median age in 2022 is 30.2 years old compared to 20.6 in 1974 when the global population was half what it is today, according to Our World in Data.

• An aging population can be positive sign — people living longer and having fewer kids. Smaller families can mean women have better access to reproductive health care and are more confident their kids will live to be adults themselves.
• But aging populations can also lead to stunted economic growth if elderly, non-working generations end up outnumbering the active workforce in a particular country.

Age structures vary drastically by country. Japanese nationals have a median age of 49, while for Nigerians, the median age is just 17.

• Women typically give birth to 2.4 children in their lifetime today, compared to 4.3 in 1974.
• A fertility rate of 2.1 is generally considered “replacement […]