Mubasher: The world's population is expected to grow to 8.6 billion by 2030, 9.8 billion by 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100, mainly driven by Africa's rising populations, according to The United Nations' (UN) forecasts.

The UN adjusted its previous predictions for population growth from 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050 due to the rapid population growth in Africa as the populations of at least 26 African countries are set to double, the report released Wednesday showed.

"It is anticipated that over half of global population growth between now and 2050 will take place in that region," Jon Wilmoth, director of the UN's population division, said.

India too is set to contribute to the increase in the world's population as it is predicted to surpass China as the most populated country in the world  by 2024.

China currently ranks as the most populated country in the world with 1.4 billion inhabitants, while India comes in second with 1.3 billion, according to the report issued by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

On the other hand, Europe's population is expected to decline during the coming decades.

The report predicted that only nine countries will form half of the world's population by 2050, namely: India, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, the US, Uganda and Indonesia.

On another note, life expectancy rates rose globally from 65 years for men and 69 years for women between 2000 and 2005, to 69 years for men and 73 years for women between 2010 and 2015, despite lower fertility rates.