GITNUXREPORT 2026

Facts About Statistics

The blog post summarizes global demographic, economic, and health trends using current statistics.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

In 2023, the global population reached 8.045 billion people, marking a 0.9% increase from 2022, with India surpassing China as the most populous country at 1.428 billion residents.

Statistic 2

As of mid-2023, Asia hosts 60% of the world's population, totaling approximately 4.82 billion people, while Africa accounts for 18% or 1.46 billion.

Statistic 3

The United Nations projects the world population to peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s before slightly declining to 10.3 billion by 2100.

Statistic 4

In 2022, the global fertility rate stood at 2.3 children per woman, down from 4.9 in 1960, with South Korea having the lowest at 0.78.

Statistic 5

Urban population worldwide reached 56.9% in 2022, projected to hit 68% by 2050, with 37% living in cities of over 1 million inhabitants.

Statistic 6

Life expectancy at birth globally averaged 72.8 years in 2019, with females at 75.6 years and males at 70.1 years, recovering from COVID-19 dips.

Statistic 7

In 2023, Nigeria's population grew by 2.41% to 223.8 million, making it Africa's most populous nation and projected to be third globally by 2050.

Statistic 8

The median age of the world population is 30.4 years as of 2023, with Africa's at 19.7 years contrasting Europe's 42.8 years.

Statistic 9

By 2050, 16% of the global population will be over 65, up from 10% in 2022, driven by aging in China, Japan, and Europe.

Statistic 10

Migration added 281 million international migrants globally in 2020, or 3.6% of population, with the US hosting 51 million.

Statistic 11

In 2023, world population reached 8.045 billion people, marking a 0.9% increase from 2022, with India surpassing China as the most populous country at 1.428 billion residents.

Statistic 12

As of mid-2023, Asia hosts 60% of the world's population, totaling approximately 4.82 billion people, while Africa accounts for 18% or 1.46 billion.

Statistic 13

The United Nations projects the world population to peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s before slightly declining to 10.3 billion by 2100.

Statistic 14

In 2022, the global fertility rate stood at 2.3 children per woman, down from 4.9 in 1960, with South Korea having the lowest at 0.78.

Statistic 15

Urban population worldwide reached 56.9% in 2022, projected to hit 68% by 2050, with 37% living in cities of over 1 million inhabitants.

Statistic 16

Life expectancy at birth globally averaged 72.8 years in 2019, with females at 75.6 years and males at 70.1 years, recovering from COVID-19 dips.

Statistic 17

In 2023, Nigeria's population grew by 2.41% to 223.8 million, making it Africa's most populous nation and projected to be third globally by 2050.

Statistic 18

The median age of the world population is 30.4 years as of 2023, with Africa's at 19.7 years contrasting Europe's 42.8 years.

Statistic 19

Global GDP reached $100.6 trillion in 2022, with the US at $25.5 trillion (25%), China at $18.1 trillion (18%), per nominal terms.

Statistic 20

World trade volume grew 2.7% in 2022 despite slowdowns, totaling $28.5 trillion in goods and services, led by electronics and fuels.

Statistic 21

Inflation globally averaged 8.7% in 2022, highest since 1993, driven by energy prices post-Ukraine invasion, per IMF data.

Statistic 22

Stock markets worldwide had a market cap of $109 trillion in 2023, with NYSE at $25 trillion and NASDAQ at $23 trillion leading.

Statistic 23

Global debt hit $305 trillion in 2022, 336% of GDP, with public debt at $91 trillion and private at $214 trillion.

Statistic 24

Cryptocurrency market cap peaked at $3 trillion in Nov 2021, fell to $800 billion by mid-2022, recovering to $1.2 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 25

Renewable energy investment reached $495 billion in 2022, 1/3 of total energy investment, with solar at $273 billion.

Statistic 26

Unemployment rate globally was 5.1% in 2022, affecting 205 million people, with youth at 13% per ILO estimates.

Statistic 27

E-commerce sales hit $5.2 trillion globally in 2022, 19% of retail, led by China at $2.1 trillion.

Statistic 28

Gold reserves totaled 35,700 tonnes worldwide in 2023, with US holding 8,133 tonnes (26%), per World Gold Council.

Statistic 29

Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels hit 37.4 billion tonnes in 2023, up 1.1% from 2022, per Global Carbon Project.

Statistic 30

Forest cover worldwide is 31% of land area, 4.06 billion hectares, losing 420 million hectares since 1990.

Statistic 31

Plastic production reached 400 million tonnes in 2022, with 36% packaging, oceans receiving 14 million tonnes yearly.

Statistic 32

Renewable energy capacity hit 3,372 GW in 2022, 86% growth in decade, solar/wind 90% of additions.

Statistic 33

Global temperature anomaly was +1.18°C above pre-industrial in 2023, hottest year recorded.

Statistic 34

Biodiversity loss: 1 million species threatened, 25% mammals, 41% amphibians per IPBES report.

Statistic 35

Water stress affects 2.4 billion people, 744 million in high stress, projected 5.7 billion by 2050.

Statistic 36

Coral reefs declined 14% since 2009, 70-90% bleaching in 2023 Great Barrier Reef event.

Statistic 37

Air pollution caused 8.1 million deaths in 2021, PM2.5 levels 11x WHO guideline in South Asia.

Statistic 38

Global obesity tripled since 1975, 1 billion adults obese in 2022, 16% prevalence.

Statistic 39

COVID-19 cumulative cases exceeded 775 million globally by 2024, with 7 million deaths reported.

Statistic 40

Smoking kills 8 million yearly, 1.3 billion tobacco users, 80% in low/middle-income countries.

Statistic 41

Global cancer incidence 20 million new cases in 2022, 9.7 million deaths, lung cancer top killer.

Statistic 42

Diabetes affects 537 million adults in 2021, projected 783 million by 2045, 90-95% type 2.

Statistic 43

Mental disorders affect 970 million people in 2019, anxiety/depression 301 million, up post-COVID.

Statistic 44

Vaccination: 84% children got DTP3 in 2022, but 14.5 million zero-dose, measles coverage 83%.

Statistic 45

Antimicrobial resistance caused 1.27 million deaths directly in 2019, 4.95 million associated.

Statistic 46

Maternal mortality ratio 223 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, sub-Saharan Africa 533.

Statistic 47

In 2022, 39 million people living with HIV, 1.3 million new infections, 630,000 AIDS deaths.

Statistic 48

Malaria caused 608,000 deaths in 2022, 96% Africa, 78% children under 5.

Statistic 49

Tuberculosis 10.6 million new cases in 2022, 1.3 million deaths, 87% in 30 high-burden countries.

Statistic 50

Global suicide rate 9.0 per 100,000 in 2019, 727,000 deaths, 58% males.

Statistic 51

Alcohol consumption averages 5.5 litres pure alcohol per adult yearly, causing 2.6 million deaths.

Statistic 52

Global smartphone shipments reached 1.21 billion units in 2022, down 6% YoY, with Samsung at 260 million and Apple 226 million.

Statistic 53

Internet users worldwide hit 5.3 billion in 2023, 66% penetration, with mobile at 92% of connections.

Statistic 54

AI market size was $184 billion in 2023, projected to $826 billion by 2030 at 28% CAGR, per Grand View Research.

Statistic 55

Data generated daily globally is 328.77 million terabytes in 2023, expected to reach 181 zettabytes annually by 2025.

Statistic 56

5G connections surpassed 1.5 billion worldwide in 2023, covering 65% of connections by 2029 forecast.

Statistic 57

Electric vehicle sales hit 10.2 million globally in 2022, 14% of car sales, with China at 6.9 million.

Statistic 58

Quantum computing market was $1.16 billion in 2023, projected to $65 billion by 2030 at 69% CAGR.

Statistic 59

Global cloud computing spending reached $595 billion in 2023, AWS 32%, Azure 21%, Google 11%.

Statistic 60

Satellite internet users to reach 1 million by 2023 end, with Starlink at 2 million terminals shipped.

Statistic 61

VR/AR market size $30 billion in 2023, projected $252 billion by 2028, gaming 45% share.

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Hold onto your hats, because the world we live in is a whirlwind of staggering numbers—from India overtaking China as the most populous nation to global debt soaring to $305 trillion, and from our daily data generation hitting 328 million terabytes to the sobering reality that 1 million species are threatened with extinction.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2023, the global population reached 8.045 billion people, marking a 0.9% increase from 2022, with India surpassing China as the most populous country at 1.428 billion residents.
  • As of mid-2023, Asia hosts 60% of the world's population, totaling approximately 4.82 billion people, while Africa accounts for 18% or 1.46 billion.
  • The United Nations projects the world population to peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s before slightly declining to 10.3 billion by 2100.
  • Global GDP reached $100.6 trillion in 2022, with the US at $25.5 trillion (25%), China at $18.1 trillion (18%), per nominal terms.
  • World trade volume grew 2.7% in 2022 despite slowdowns, totaling $28.5 trillion in goods and services, led by electronics and fuels.
  • Inflation globally averaged 8.7% in 2022, highest since 1993, driven by energy prices post-Ukraine invasion, per IMF data.
  • Global smartphone shipments reached 1.21 billion units in 2022, down 6% YoY, with Samsung at 260 million and Apple 226 million.
  • Internet users worldwide hit 5.3 billion in 2023, 66% penetration, with mobile at 92% of connections.
  • AI market size was $184 billion in 2023, projected to $826 billion by 2030 at 28% CAGR, per Grand View Research.
  • Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels hit 37.4 billion tonnes in 2023, up 1.1% from 2022, per Global Carbon Project.
  • Forest cover worldwide is 31% of land area, 4.06 billion hectares, losing 420 million hectares since 1990.
  • Plastic production reached 400 million tonnes in 2022, with 36% packaging, oceans receiving 14 million tonnes yearly.
  • Global obesity tripled since 1975, 1 billion adults obese in 2022, 16% prevalence.
  • COVID-19 cumulative cases exceeded 775 million globally by 2024, with 7 million deaths reported.
  • Smoking kills 8 million yearly, 1.3 billion tobacco users, 80% in low/middle-income countries.

The blog post summarizes global demographic, economic, and health trends using current statistics.

Demographics

  • In 2023, the global population reached 8.045 billion people, marking a 0.9% increase from 2022, with India surpassing China as the most populous country at 1.428 billion residents.
  • As of mid-2023, Asia hosts 60% of the world's population, totaling approximately 4.82 billion people, while Africa accounts for 18% or 1.46 billion.
  • The United Nations projects the world population to peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s before slightly declining to 10.3 billion by 2100.
  • In 2022, the global fertility rate stood at 2.3 children per woman, down from 4.9 in 1960, with South Korea having the lowest at 0.78.
  • Urban population worldwide reached 56.9% in 2022, projected to hit 68% by 2050, with 37% living in cities of over 1 million inhabitants.
  • Life expectancy at birth globally averaged 72.8 years in 2019, with females at 75.6 years and males at 70.1 years, recovering from COVID-19 dips.
  • In 2023, Nigeria's population grew by 2.41% to 223.8 million, making it Africa's most populous nation and projected to be third globally by 2050.
  • The median age of the world population is 30.4 years as of 2023, with Africa's at 19.7 years contrasting Europe's 42.8 years.
  • By 2050, 16% of the global population will be over 65, up from 10% in 2022, driven by aging in China, Japan, and Europe.
  • Migration added 281 million international migrants globally in 2020, or 3.6% of population, with the US hosting 51 million.
  • In 2023, world population reached 8.045 billion people, marking a 0.9% increase from 2022, with India surpassing China as the most populous country at 1.428 billion residents.
  • As of mid-2023, Asia hosts 60% of the world's population, totaling approximately 4.82 billion people, while Africa accounts for 18% or 1.46 billion.
  • The United Nations projects the world population to peak at around 10.4 billion in the 2080s before slightly declining to 10.3 billion by 2100.
  • In 2022, the global fertility rate stood at 2.3 children per woman, down from 4.9 in 1960, with South Korea having the lowest at 0.78.
  • Urban population worldwide reached 56.9% in 2022, projected to hit 68% by 2050, with 37% living in cities of over 1 million inhabitants.
  • Life expectancy at birth globally averaged 72.8 years in 2019, with females at 75.6 years and males at 70.1 years, recovering from COVID-19 dips.
  • In 2023, Nigeria's population grew by 2.41% to 223.8 million, making it Africa's most populous nation and projected to be third globally by 2050.
  • The median age of the world population is 30.4 years as of 2023, with Africa's at 19.7 years contrasting Europe's 42.8 years.

Demographics Interpretation

The globe is trending dramatically towards city life and gray hair, with a youthful and populous Africa poised to inherit the Earth just as the rest of us are figuring out our retirement plans.

Economy

  • Global GDP reached $100.6 trillion in 2022, with the US at $25.5 trillion (25%), China at $18.1 trillion (18%), per nominal terms.
  • World trade volume grew 2.7% in 2022 despite slowdowns, totaling $28.5 trillion in goods and services, led by electronics and fuels.
  • Inflation globally averaged 8.7% in 2022, highest since 1993, driven by energy prices post-Ukraine invasion, per IMF data.
  • Stock markets worldwide had a market cap of $109 trillion in 2023, with NYSE at $25 trillion and NASDAQ at $23 trillion leading.
  • Global debt hit $305 trillion in 2022, 336% of GDP, with public debt at $91 trillion and private at $214 trillion.
  • Cryptocurrency market cap peaked at $3 trillion in Nov 2021, fell to $800 billion by mid-2022, recovering to $1.2 trillion in 2023.
  • Renewable energy investment reached $495 billion in 2022, 1/3 of total energy investment, with solar at $273 billion.
  • Unemployment rate globally was 5.1% in 2022, affecting 205 million people, with youth at 13% per ILO estimates.
  • E-commerce sales hit $5.2 trillion globally in 2022, 19% of retail, led by China at $2.1 trillion.
  • Gold reserves totaled 35,700 tonnes worldwide in 2023, with US holding 8,133 tonnes (26%), per World Gold Council.

Economy Interpretation

The global economy in 2022 resembled a high-stakes poker game: we raised the pot to a record $100 trillion, but we're playing with over $300 trillion in borrowed chips, heating the table with 8.7% inflation, while frantically investing in renewable energy as our long-term bluff against a crashing climate.

Environment

  • Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels hit 37.4 billion tonnes in 2023, up 1.1% from 2022, per Global Carbon Project.
  • Forest cover worldwide is 31% of land area, 4.06 billion hectares, losing 420 million hectares since 1990.
  • Plastic production reached 400 million tonnes in 2022, with 36% packaging, oceans receiving 14 million tonnes yearly.
  • Renewable energy capacity hit 3,372 GW in 2022, 86% growth in decade, solar/wind 90% of additions.
  • Global temperature anomaly was +1.18°C above pre-industrial in 2023, hottest year recorded.
  • Biodiversity loss: 1 million species threatened, 25% mammals, 41% amphibians per IPBES report.
  • Water stress affects 2.4 billion people, 744 million in high stress, projected 5.7 billion by 2050.
  • Coral reefs declined 14% since 2009, 70-90% bleaching in 2023 Great Barrier Reef event.
  • Air pollution caused 8.1 million deaths in 2021, PM2.5 levels 11x WHO guideline in South Asia.

Environment Interpretation

We are meticulously documenting our own demise, with our left hand counting the record profits from fossil fuels and plastic while our right hand tallies the extinctions, dead coral, and poisoned air.

Health

  • Global obesity tripled since 1975, 1 billion adults obese in 2022, 16% prevalence.
  • COVID-19 cumulative cases exceeded 775 million globally by 2024, with 7 million deaths reported.
  • Smoking kills 8 million yearly, 1.3 billion tobacco users, 80% in low/middle-income countries.
  • Global cancer incidence 20 million new cases in 2022, 9.7 million deaths, lung cancer top killer.
  • Diabetes affects 537 million adults in 2021, projected 783 million by 2045, 90-95% type 2.
  • Mental disorders affect 970 million people in 2019, anxiety/depression 301 million, up post-COVID.
  • Vaccination: 84% children got DTP3 in 2022, but 14.5 million zero-dose, measles coverage 83%.
  • Antimicrobial resistance caused 1.27 million deaths directly in 2019, 4.95 million associated.
  • Maternal mortality ratio 223 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, sub-Saharan Africa 533.
  • In 2022, 39 million people living with HIV, 1.3 million new infections, 630,000 AIDS deaths.
  • Malaria caused 608,000 deaths in 2022, 96% Africa, 78% children under 5.
  • Tuberculosis 10.6 million new cases in 2022, 1.3 million deaths, 87% in 30 high-burden countries.
  • Global suicide rate 9.0 per 100,000 in 2019, 727,000 deaths, 58% males.
  • Alcohol consumption averages 5.5 litres pure alcohol per adult yearly, causing 2.6 million deaths.

Health Interpretation

While humanity has never been better at avoiding bullets, we are tragically expert at swallowing them, lighting them, and spoon-feeding them to each other through the choices we make and the systems we fail.

Technology

  • Global smartphone shipments reached 1.21 billion units in 2022, down 6% YoY, with Samsung at 260 million and Apple 226 million.
  • Internet users worldwide hit 5.3 billion in 2023, 66% penetration, with mobile at 92% of connections.
  • AI market size was $184 billion in 2023, projected to $826 billion by 2030 at 28% CAGR, per Grand View Research.
  • Data generated daily globally is 328.77 million terabytes in 2023, expected to reach 181 zettabytes annually by 2025.
  • 5G connections surpassed 1.5 billion worldwide in 2023, covering 65% of connections by 2029 forecast.
  • Electric vehicle sales hit 10.2 million globally in 2022, 14% of car sales, with China at 6.9 million.
  • Quantum computing market was $1.16 billion in 2023, projected to $65 billion by 2030 at 69% CAGR.
  • Global cloud computing spending reached $595 billion in 2023, AWS 32%, Azure 21%, Google 11%.
  • Satellite internet users to reach 1 million by 2023 end, with Starlink at 2 million terminals shipped.
  • VR/AR market size $30 billion in 2023, projected $252 billion by 2028, gaming 45% share.

Technology Interpretation

Even as smartphone sales dip, humanity is furiously connecting everything that isn't nailed down, generating oceans of data for a ravenous cloud, a voracious AI, and our own insatiable appetites for immersive escape and electric speed, proving our true genius is in building a digital world we can't live without—or even fully comprehend.

Sources & References