The population of the region is growing at 2.4 percent a year, second only to the Africa region, and should double in size in about 30 years. Regional growth would appear even more rapid were growth not offset by slow and even negative growth in the Eastern and Southern European countries included in the region. The projections of fertility and mortality are modeled on recent trends worldwide, and therefore incorporate the effects of deliberate efforts to reduce vital rates in various countries. Although altering projected trends is possible, it would require at least as much demographic interventions as in the recent past. The projections in the report cover almost two centuries, from 1985 to 2150. The length of the projection period was chosen to allow populations to approach stability, which for several takes essentially the entire period. The report begins with an introduction which explains what projection results are provided in the detailed tables, describes the projection methodology, and summarizes and interprets the main results.

Currently, Asia has 59 percent of all peoples; Europe, 15 percent; America, 14 percent; Africa, 12 percent; and Oceania, 1 percent. Over time, Asia's share is projected to remain fairly stable, but Europe's share will almost be halved and Africa's share more than doubled.