With the world’s population set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, we look at the complex story behind the big numbers. Our datablog reveals the demographic shifts in play: birth rates are falling in most countries, but death rates are falling faster. With more than two-thirds of us expected to live in cities by 2050, what do our increasingly crowded urban centres look like?
As violence continues in South Sudan, Simona Foltyn reports on the hunger crisis forcing thousands back over the border to Sudan. For the latest coverage, bookmark our South Sudan page.
Elsewhere on the site
India’s tomato shortage causes curry crisis – Vidhi Doshi
The Malawi school Guardian readers helped build – John Vidal
Where floods once threatened, the menace for Bangladesh now is lack of water – Emma Graham-Harrison and SM Atik
Post-Brexit sterling decline will cost poor countries $4bn – Clár Ní Chonghaile
How can a girl become a taxi driver in India? – Nishtha Chugh
US trafficking report sparks fury over Thailand’s upgrade – Kate Hodal and Annie Kelly
Climate change plagues Madagascar – Nadene Ghouri
UK pledges £100m for educating world’s poorest girls – Liz Ford
Obama’s development legacy rings hollow on farmers’ rights – Claire Provost
Opinion
Priya Virmani on the rape crisis in rural India
Seth Berkley on urbanisation and global health
Patrick Youssef on violence around Lake Chad
Anne Gallagher: worst-offender lists won’t help us fight slavery
Erna Solberg: work together to make global education a reality
Ani Hao on the sexist impeachment of Dilma Rousseff
Elizabeth Stuart: act fast on the SDGs, or risk leaving the poorest behind
Galleries
Trash and treasure in Brazil’s Jóquei landfill
Messages of peace, loss and unity from South Sudan
Seed scheme offers kernel of hope for Central African Republic
What you said
On the underreported conflict around the remote region of Lake Chad, Max722 wrote:
Excellent piece. Everyone is focused on Brexit and Tory and Labour leader contests. Meanwhile, thousands suffer and die away from the glare of publicity. Good we are reminded that the world does not revolve around west London.
Highlight from the blogosphere
What India needs to end malnutrition by 2030 is data, argues Lawrence Haddad on Development Horizons.
And finally …
Poverty matters will return in two weeks with another roundup of the latest news and comment. In the meantime, keep up to date on the Global development website. Follow @gdndevelopment and the team – @LizFordGuardian and @clarnic – on Twitter, and join Guardian Global development on Facebook.
