The demographics of countries all over the world are drastically shifting as the United Nations gets ready to observe World Population Day on July 11.

Greater growth is being brought about by the expanding populations in India and Africa, yet these regions also bear the weight of climate change.

According to UN estimates, India now has 1.425 billion inhabitants, matching and eventually predicted to surpass China’s population of 1.4 billion.

Demographers claim that this may have already occurred, but it is difficult to tell for sure because they are using estimations to make their best judgement. The UN believes that this might happen at any moment now, around the middle of the year.

As in other regions of the world, climate change might have a negative impact on India and slow down growth.

Despite sharing many of the same challenges, the African continent is a subject of great fascination.

According to Tighisti Amare, the Africa Program’s Deputy Director and a researcher at the London-based Chatham House think tank, it has the youngest and fastest-growing population.

“70% of Africans are under the age of 30 and this is happening while many of the developed world, the developed nations, are experiencing a rapidly ageing population,” says Tighisti Amare, Deputy Director, Africa Programme at Chatham House.

Amare contends that the continent’s population expansion should be viewed as an advantage rather than a burden.

“Of course, improvements in public health access and level help to explain some of the population rise. Child mortality has decreased as a result of this. And it is wonderful news in and of itself. The other good news is that most African countries do not have to deal with the weight of a sizable old population that depends on taxes and pensions, which can be a hardship.