Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

April 2015 – Over the coming decades, persecution will grow along with world population, Open Doors USA predicts. Several countries with the fastest growing populations also have the highest incidences of Christian persecution. Of 11 cities expected to grow to at least 10 million people by 2050, eight are in nations on Open Doors’ 2015 World Watch List. Africa and Asia, the continents where Christians face the most persecution, are expected to experience the most growth in their populations. 

India is expected to replace China as the most populous country in the world, and Nigeria will supersede the U.S. as the third most populous country. 

In addition, the global population is getting older. While the global population is projected to increase by 38%, the number of children younger than 15 years old is expected to increase by only 10%. This is a consequence of falling birth rates, Pew Research states. By 2050 in the U.S., the percentage of those age 65 and older (21%) will be greater than those younger than 15 years old (18%) for the first time since 1950. 

factsandtrends.net, 2/2/15; pewresearch.org, 2/3/15