PEOPLE PRESSURE

World population continues to rise by about 87 million people a year – the baby that breaches the six- billion barrier will be born early in 1999.

But these facts mask a hopeful trend – the average annual growth rate in world population has been steadily declining since the early 1960s, from 2.2 per cent down to its current 1.5 per cent. The empowerment and education of women has now been accepted as a key contribution to reducing population growth – but dividing the wealth and resources of the world more fairly would be even more crucial.

Two decades ago less than half the people of the developing world had access to safe, clean water. Now more than two-thirds have this most fundamental resource.

LIFE SAVERS

The country with the world's worst child-mortality rate is Niger. More than three in every ten children born there dies before they are five - exactly the same rate as prevailed in 1960.

The countries with the biggest reductions in child deaths since 1960 are all in Africa or the Middle East.