The world's eighth billionth resident has apparently been born.
Estimates from the United Nations suggest the planet's population is now three times the size it was in 1950 - mainly down to more people living longer.
But it also forecasts that the growth rate is now slowing – mainly due to fewer births.
The UN says the 8-billion milestone is due to "unprecedented growth due to the gradual increase in human lifespan owing to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine".
The United Nations said it took 12 years for the population to increase from 7 to 8 billion, but it will take approximately 15 years — until around 2037 — for it to reach 9 billion.
