Fact Check: Approximately 7.8 billion people live on Earth as of 2021.

Fact Check: "Approximately 7.8 billion people live on Earth as of 2021."

What We Know

The claim that the world population was approximately 7.8 billion in 2021 is supported by several credible sources. According to a study published in the Major Trends in Population Growth Around the World, the global population reached 7.8 billion by mid-2020, marking a significant increase from 7 billion in 2010 and 6 billion in 1998 (source-1). The U.S. Census Bureau also projected that the world population would be around 7.8 billion at the beginning of 2022, indicating a growth rate of approximately 0.9% from the previous year (source-2).

Furthermore, the World Population Data Sheet from the Population Reference Bureau corroborates these figures, indicating that the world population was expected to be around 7.8 billion at the start of 2022 (source-4).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as it comes from reputable demographic studies and official estimates. The Major Trends in Population Growth Around the World article relies on the United Nations Population Division's estimates, which are widely regarded as authoritative in demographic research (source-1).

The U.S. Census Bureau's estimates also reflect a consensus among demographers about the population growth trends, noting that the world population reached 8 billion in November 2022, following the 7.8 billion estimate for 2021 (source-2).

While some sources may present slightly varying figures due to the inherent uncertainties in population data collection (e.g., census frequency and accuracy), the general consensus aligns with the claim that the population was approximately 7.8 billion in 2021. The estimates are based on comprehensive data collection methods and demographic modeling, which lend credibility to the figures presented.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that approximately 7.8 billion people lived on Earth as of 2021 is accurate, supported by multiple credible sources, including demographic studies and estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The consistency of these figures across various reputable organizations confirms the reliability of the claim.

Sources

1. Major Trends in Population Growth Around the World - PMC
2. World Population Estimated at 8 Billion - Census.gov
3. World population hits eight billion — here's how ... - Nature
4. Home - Population Reference Bureau
5. Untitled
6. World Population by Year - Worldometer
7. World Population Clock: 8.2 Billion People (LIVE, 2025) - Worldometer
8. World population surged 74 mn in 2021, expected to be 7.8 bn: Report