For the first time in history, Latin America and Africa provide more than half of the population of Catholics in the world today.

CNN: Why the next pope should be African

Approximately one-half of the world's population lives in rural areas, according to the World Health Organization, and most of them usually lack trained health care workers.

CNN: Bringing health care to the world's most remote areas

More than half the world's population already lives in cities and the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2030.

BBC: Africa: Feeding the rising urban population

It is now estimated that around half the world's population is living in an urban environment and the figure is expected to rise over the next few decades.

BBC: Safety focus at skyscraper summit

Eric Levine, from Restless Development, a youth development agency, said youngsters made up half of the world's population and must play an "essential role" in tackling the most urgent world issues.

BBC: Orphans in Haiti

More than half of the world's population doesn't use the Web, particularly in developing nations, researchers say.

WSJ: Google to Fund, Develop Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets

Though they account for only about 7% of the world population, countries in the EU have hosted about half the Games and have won nearly half of the medals ever awarded.

WSJ: Menu

In total, cities house more than half the world's population, and account for two-thirds of its energy consumption and over 60% of its greenhouse-gas emissions.

ECONOMIST: Cities and climate change

During the 1990s, a swath of geography no larger than 500 square kilometers and known for its big immigrant population and for its men who wear golf shirts to the office pulled in half of the world's venture capital.

FORBES: SOIL FOR THE SEED