The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo focused the world's attention on the challenge facing all nations as they seek to integrate population and development policies and programs.

This brief describes trends in population growth and other key demographic indicators over the next quarter century. It summarizes the U.S. Census Bureau's latest estimates and projections of worldwide population, population growth, fertility, life expectancy, and infant mortality. The impact of AIDS mortality, trends in family planning, and the special problem of adolescent fertility also are discussed.

More details statistics (including data for each country), implications of demographic trends for the goals of the ICPD, and a special focus on adolescent fertility in developing countries are presented in the U.S. Census Bureau's World Population Profile: 1996.