The UN Population Division's 1998 review shows that the world's population is expected to be 8.9 billion by 2050, lower than previously thought. This is due to fewer children being born and better access to family planning. AIDS in Africa is a big factor, reducing life expectancy by 7 years in some countries. Despite efforts to lower fertility rates, the world's population is still growing by 78 million each year. Even countries with high AIDS rates, like Botswana, will double in size by 2050.