Billionth Baby Born, But Birth Rale Slowing

Tuesday was the " Day of 6 Billion" at the UN headquarters because a population clock ticked off the world's 6 billionth human among the 370, 000 babies born.

No one actually knows when, or where, that 6 billionth person was, or will be born. But population experts agreed the 6 billion mark would be reached a few months before or after Oct. 12, 1999.

In Bosnia, visiting UN secretary-general Kofi Annan marked the mile­stone by honouring a boy, born two minutes past midnight to Fatima Nev-ic in a Sarajevo hospital, as the world's symbolic 6 billionth person. Idris Bukvic, doctor at Sarajevo's hospital, said Nevic gave birth to the 3.55-kilogram, healthy boy.

While! he number of people inhabiting the Earth continues to grow and put inordinate stresses on its natural resources, demographers agree that the pace is slowing substantially.

Under one of three scenarios developed by UN demographers, the number of people on the planet could begin dropping in 50 years. The more likely scenario, they say, is in around 200 years.

Word's and word combinations you may need

UN headquarters - штаб-квартира ООН tick off v — зд. отсчитать milestone n - чеха

Ex. 5. a) Read the text, b) Ask your classmates tag questions to check whether you understand the situation in Russia correctly, c) Did you take part in the 2002 population census in Russia? What did the census reveal? d) Do the assignment after the text.

In spile of the positive changes revealed by the 2002 population census the demographic situation in Russia remains unfavourable.

The average life expectancy remains low in comparison with developed countries. Older people are dying now at a fast rate.

According to the UN's demographic forecast Russia's population will be decreasing at least until the middle of the 21st century.

The percentage of Russians in the ethnic composition of the population will also be decreasing.

A lot of newborns and children have health problems. All this results from conditions of life.

Half of Russia's population use water which does not conform to stan­dards. In 84 large cities air pollution exceeds more than 10 times the maxi­mum permissible level. Consumption of meat and fish makes up half of that in the US, one-third of the population lacks vitamins.

Housing conditions leave much to be desired.

Unit 7

I. The Social Profile and State Structure

Words and word combinations you may need

Text В

reveal v — вскрывать, обнаруживать

population census — перепись населе­ния

life expectancy — продолжительность жизни

ethnic composition - этнический состав

Assignment. Look at the statistics about Britain. Say how the situation in our country compares with that in Britain.

1. The population of Britain is expected to rise to 60 million in 2005.

2. Life expectancy is now 72 for men and 78 for women.

3. Britain has more people aged over 60 than any other ELI nation.

4. 63% of homes are owner-occupied. In 1986 12, 000 families were home­
less.

5. Most people work 35-40 hours a week.

6. Women comprise 45% of the workforce.

7. The non-white population is 2.4 million.

8. The major killer diseases are heart disease and cancer.

Ex. 6. Sum up Text A (orally/in writing).