Welcome to the seven billionth baby!

The stock and raw materials markets may be on a roller coaster, but the world population is headed in just one direction: up. On or around October 31, 2011, the world will pass the seven-billion mark, according to population forecasts from the UN. Over the past two decades, the number of people on Earth rose by about 1.6 billion, or 79 million per year. Another baby is born roughly every four seconds. By 2050, the world population is forecast to reach 9.3 billion.

Also see this link from the United Nations Population Fund: http://www.7billionactions.org/  

This symbolic moment is a good opportunity to think about scenarios for the future. Roland Berger's "Eight Billion Business Opportunities" project does just that. We believe that population growth will have enormous consequences for the global economy, and therefore also for the strategies of global companies. In December 2012, we will launch a new publication series that highlights future potential and how companies can profit from it.

The uneven population growth will dramatically shift the balance of power in the world economy. Of the 1.4 billion people born between 2010 and 2030, over 95% will live in emerging and developing countries. These regions will generate more than 55% of global GDP. Some of these countries, such as China, will become key parts of major global trade corridors. Access to education will create a new pool of qualified labor. Better employment will improve general prosperity and a new middle class with several hundred million new consumers will emerge. As cities absorb surrounding towns and villages, the average number of inhabitants clustered in urban areas will grow by 10% to reach a 55% urbanization rate. This will drive the demand for infrastructure and housing.

You will find our initial findings on expected developments in our Trend Compendium 2030.