The world is running out of time to make sure there is enough food, water and energy to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population and to avoid sending up to 3 billion people into poverty, a U.N. report warned on Monday.

As the world's population looks set to grow to nearly 9 billion by 2040 from 7 billion now, and the number of middle-class consumers increases by 3 billion over the next 20 years, the demand for resources will rise exponentially.

Navi Mumbai, the satellite township adjacent to Mumbai, has reported what could be the lowest sex ratio in the country. A survey conducted by the City and Industrial Development Corporation of India (CIDCO) has revealed that the township has 697 girls for 1,000 boys under the age of six. A similar survey conducted in 2005 revealed the ratio to be 745 girls to 1,000 boys in the same age group.

The CIDCO's figures are far lower than the provisional census figures of 901 girls for every 1,000 boys under the age of six.

The number of children in the United States considered poor rose by 1 million in 2010, the US Census said Thursday, with more than one in five of the youngest Americans now living in poverty.

‘Children who live in poverty, especially young children, are more likely than their peers to have cognitive and behavioural difficulties, to complete fewer years of education, and, as they grow up, to experience more years of unemployment,’ the Census said.

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that experts estimate the population of Maldives to reach 400,000 by the year 2025.

In his weekly radio address delivered Friday morning, the President spoke on the world population reaching a record 7 billion next Monday, noting that it was an achievement in many aspects.

President Nasheed urged everyone to work in unity in sustaining achievements in improvement of primary health of elderly, the reduction in the rate of mortality due to illness, and the technological advancements achieved in the recent years.

The world's population of seven billion is set to rise to at least 10 billion by 2100, but could top 15 billion if birth rates are just slightly higher than expected, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

In a report ahead of ceremonies on October 31 to mark the seven billionth human alive today, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) warned demographic pressure posed mighty challenges for easing poverty and conserving the environment.