The United Nations says the human population of planet earth has now surpassed 8 billion. But it’s an upward trend with consequences that are not clear cut, and which might not continue for long.

Areas in the Global South are seeing the biggest population growth, in part driven by a lack of access to contraception. But wealthy societies across the world are facing the opposite issue - their populations are actually getting older and more expensive.

So what challenges are governments around the world facing from the ever changing population?

Guests:

Jennifer Sciubba

Author of ‘8 Billion and Counting’

Kathleen Mogelgaard

President of the Population Institute

Bill Ryerson

Founder and President of Population Media Center