Seven surprising facts about the Earth's 7 billion
Unfortunately, seven billion isn't necessarily cause for celebration - more people could create more potential problems.
On "The Early Show," CBS News correspondent Mo Rocca detailed a few things you may not know about our new population. Keep clicking to find out surprising facts about the world's growing number of inhabitants.
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide
Joel Cohen, population professor at Rockefeller University and Columbia University, explained, "It's gone from about five children per a woman -- a worldwide average in 1950 -- to about 2.5 children per woman now."
Seen here is newborn Danica Camacho, the Philippines' symbolic seven billionth baby. Camacho was born in Fabella Maternity hospital in Manila on Oct. 31, 2011.
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide
Cohen said, "Some people think it is a big problem because it means that the population is aging rapidly. The aging population means there will be fewer young people to support the elderly in their old age, if the elderly retire, for example."
So unless Italians seriously reconsider their immigration policies or raise their retirement age, Mo Rocca said, "Well, they better get busy."
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide
However, the problem is only 46 percent of that amount goes into human mouths -- most of the rest goes to the animals many of us like eating. That's partly why one billion people go hungry every day, Mo Rocca noted.
Cohen said if the number of vegans were to increase, the expanding world population would "certainly" be more sustainable.
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide
Cohen, population professor at Rockefeller University and Columbia University, said, "When young people are in school, they generally get married at a later age. So that slows the onset of marriage and having children. When they've been educated, they generally have fewer children in their whole lifetime."
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide
World population: Seven billion and counting
Special section: Eye on Parenting
"7 billionth" babies celebrated worldwide