Late 2000s
The Late 2000s was the third part of the 2000s that began in 2007 and ended in 2009.
2007
The world population on January 1, 2007, was estimated to be 6.714 billion people and increased to 6.801 billion people by January 1, 2008. An estimated 139.9 million births and 53.4 million deaths took place in 2007. The average global life expectancy was 69.0 years, an increase of 0.4 years from 2006. The estimated number of global refugees increased from 9.9 million to 11.4 million by the end of the year. The largest sources of refugees were Afghanistan with 3.1 million people and Iraq with 2.3 million people.
2008
The world population on January 1, 2008, was estimated to be 6.801 billion people and increased to 6.888 billion people by January 1, 2009. An estimated 141.8 million births and 54.0 million deaths took place in 2008. The average global life expectancy was 69.3 years, an increase of 0.3 years from 2007. The estimated number of global refugees decreased from 11.4 million to 10.5 million by the end of the year. The largest sources of refugees were Afghanistan with 2.8 million people and Iraq with 1.9 million people.
2009
The world population on January 1, 2009, was estimated to be 6.888 billion people and increased to 6.977 billion people by January 1, 2010. An estimated 143.0 million births and 54.1 million deaths took place in 2009. The average global life expectancy was 69.7 years, an increase of 0.4 years from 2008. The estimated number of global refugees decreased from 10.5 million to 10.4 million by the end of the year. The largest sources of refugees were Afghanistan with 2.9 million people and Iraq with 1.8 million people.
2007
There were 34 conflicts in 2007 that resulted in at least 25 fatalities. Four of these resulted in at least 1,000 fatalities: the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, Eelam War IV in Sri Lanka, and the War in Somalia. This was the first year since 1957 to have fewer than five such conflicts. Conflicts in 2007 trended toward fragmentation as insurgencies, criminal organizations, and [...] groups engaged with each other.
The Iraqi insurgency against the Multi-National Force – Iraq grew in 2007. Conflict rose between Sunni and Shia populations, and sectarian militias emerged. Despite making up a small portion of the insurgency, al-Qaeda in Iraq became a major perpetrator of mass-casualty attacks. The United States escalated its presence in Iraq with a surge of soldiers and the commencement of Operation Phantom Thunder to combat Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups.
The Central African Bush War ended when rebels with the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity were granted amnesty, and the First Ivorian Civil War ended with the Ouagadougou Agreement that authorized the merger of the government and the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast rebel group. Progress was made in the Juba talks that moved Uganda closer to peace with the Lord's Resistance Army, but a permanent ceasefire was not obtained. Israel and Palestine made progress toward peace during the Annapolis Conference. A peace agreement was reached with the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development rebellion in Chad, but the rebels broke the agreement a month later. The War in Darfur slowed slightly early in the year but then revived with a stronger inclination toward fragmentation and insurgent-style fighting over traditional warfare, including rebel groups that launched attacks out of neighboring Chad.
Several conflicts emerged or resumed in 2007 as rebel groups and insurgencies became active. The ADC rebel group started an insurgency in northern Mali, reviving a 1990s insurgency for Tuareg separatism. Another Tuareg insurgency formed in Niger, the Niger Movement for Justice, but it did not promote the separatist beliefs of the ADC. Rebellion by Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi resumed in Pakistan, escalating after a siege on a mosque in July. Other conflicts that resumed in 2007 included the Cabinda War in Angola and the conflict with the Shining Path in Peru. Bundu dia Kongo, a Kongo separatist movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, abandoned its mostly-peaceful approach and formally militarized.
2008
There were 37 conflicts in 2008 that resulted in at least 25 fatalities, five of which resulted in at least 1,000 fatalities: the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban insurgency, conflict with the Pakistani Taliban, Eelam War IV in Sri Lanka, and the Somali Civil War. A border conflict broke out for two days between Djibouti and Eritrea, ending with Eritrean occupation of the disputed area, Ras Doumeira. This was the first conflict in four years where two sovereign states fought each other directly. The Russo-Georgian War occurred in August when Georgia engaged in warfare with the breakaway state South Ossetia following a series of skirmishes. Russia backed South Ossetia and sent 10,000 soldiers into the fight, progressing further into Georgia until a ceasefire was established. Two separatist rebel groups escalated conflict in India: Dima Halam Daogah sought a Dimasa state and the United National Liberation Front sought a Manipuri state. Ten armed militants, claimed by the Pakistani organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, captured several targets in Mumbai on November 26, and battles with Indian soldiers led to approximately 160 deaths.
Peace talks were held between Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to end the LRA's insurgency, but LRA leader Joseph Kony refused to attend a final peace agreement and government operations against the LRA resumed in December. Peace talks were also held for the Central African Bush War and the Somali Civil War, but rebels were unable to reach final agreements in these conflicts. The National Forces of Liberation resumed its insurgency in Burundi when peace talks collapsed in January, but a ceasefire was established in December. Progress was made toward peace in the First Ivorian Civil War with preparations to integrate the Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire into the Ivorian military.
2009
There were 36 conflicts in 2009 that resulted in at least 25 fatalities, six of which resulted in at least 1,000 fatalities: the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, the Iraqi insurgency, the insurgency by the Pakistani Taliban, the conflict against the FDLR in Rwanda, Eelam War IV in Sri Lanka, and the Somali Civil War. All conflicts in 2009 were intrastate conflicts that involved violent non-state actors.
Several new conflicts began against rebel groups in 2009. The CPJP reignited conflict in the Central African Bush War, a faction of the NDFB broke a 2004 ceasefire with India in the Bodoland region, and a conflict broke out between Myanmar and the MNDAA when the government forced the MNDAA out of the Kokang. Boko Haram launched an insurgency in Nigeria, which was paused when its leader Mohammed Yusuf was killed.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resumed conflict against the FDLR when they launched Operation Umoja Wetu in January. The DRC and a United Nations mission launched Operation Kimia II against the FDLR in March after the group regained its strength. Conflict also resumed in Angola against the Forças Armadas de Cabinda, and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula formed in Yemen to expand al-Qaeda's insurgency in the country. Bombings continued during the Iraqi insurgency, including a series of attacks in Baghdad that killed over 100 people in December. The Maersk Alabama was hijacked by Somali pirates in April, prompting a rescue operation by the United States Navy.
The Ihussi Accord ended conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the CNDP within the broader Kivu conflict. This was the only peace agreement reached in 2009. Eelam War IV, the final stage in the Sri Lankan civil war, ended in May when the Sri Lankan government defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. It remained the deadliest conflict of the year.
2007
The highest-grossing film globally in 2007 was Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, followed by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Spider-Man 3. The best-selling album globally in 2007 was the High School Musical 2 soundtrack, followed by Back to Black by Amy Winehouse and Noël by Josh Groban.
2008
The highest-grossing film globally in 2008 was The Dark Knight, followed by Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Kung Fu Panda. The best-selling album globally in 2008 was Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends by Coldplay, followed by Black Ice by AC/DC and Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack. Most popular video games that were released in the year of 2008 were Super Smash Bros Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Fallout 3.
The 2008 Summer Olympics were held in Beijing, making them the first Olympic Games to take place in China.
2009
The highest-grossing film globally in 2009 was Avatar, followed by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. The best-selling album globally in 2009 was I Dreamed a Dream by Susan Boyle, followed by The E.N.D. by the Black Eyed Peas and This Is It by Michael Jackson.
2007
The gross world product increased by 3.7% in 2007, slowing after the 3.9% growth in 2006. Growth was highest in transition economies at 8.0% and developing countries at 6.9%. Inflation slowed in developed countries to an increase of only 1.9%, while developing countries saw an inflation rate of 5.6%. Unemployment rates lowered throughout the world, albeit less so in Africa.
Negotiations surrounding the Doha Development Round resumed in February, but no progress was made throughout the year. Oil prices rose as demand from developing countries exceeded the resource slack, and development of biofuel contributing to rising prices for wheat and maize.
The subprime mortgage crisis occurred in the United States in late 2007 as housing prices plummeted, leading to global economic downturn.
2008
The economy underwent a global financial crisis in 2008 following the American subprime mortgage crisis from the previous year, causing the worst recession since the Great Depression. The economy was affected by bank failures, stock market crashes, and credit freezes. A dramatic escalation in September prompted international efforts to restore consumer confidence and resolve credit freezes. Measures such as bailouts for financial institutions and liquidity injections were implemented throughout the year. Banking in Iceland collapsed in October.
Gross world product increased by approximately 2.5% in 2008. International trade grew by 4.3%, slowing from the 6.4% growth in 2007. Commodity prices continued their previous upward trajectory until halfway into the year when they dropped sharply. The price of oil was especially affected with its 60% drop.
The Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus was held in November and December in Doha to continue talks on global economic reform.
2009
The global economy began a slow recovery from its economic recession in late 2009 following a severe economic crisis the previous year. Gross world product shrank by 2.2% in 2009, which marked its first contraction since World War II. Unemployment increased and inflation decreased throughout the world.
2007
The year 2007 was the fifth hottest year on record. January was warmed by El Niño and the final months of the year were cooled by La Niña. Heat waves occurred in Europe during May through July and in North America during August. A severe cold wave took place in the United States in April. An ongoing drought in Australia grew worse in the Murray–Darling basin. Rains and flooding caused significant displacement or crop damage in places including Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Uruguay. Approximately 500 people were killed by a magnitude 8 earthquake in Peru.
Fifteen tropical storms occurred in the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, including six hurricanes: Hurricane Dean, Hurricane Felix, Hurricane Humberto, Hurricane Karen, and Hurricane Noel. Although the number of tropical storms was higher than average, eight of them lasted under two days and the season overall was of average intensity. Landfall of Hurricane Dean and Hurricane Felix in Central America marked the first time on record for two category five hurricanes to make landfall in one season. Twenty-five tropical storms occurred in the 2007 Pacific typhoon season, including fifteen typhoons. The most intense typhoons were Typhoon Sepat, Typhoon Man-yi, Typhoon Wipha, and Typhoon Krosa. Taiwan experienced significant damage from Typhoon Krosa and Typhoon Sepat. Typhoon Wipha caused two million people to be temporarily displaced around Fuding, China, while Tropical Storm Lekima destroyed 100,000 homes in Vietnam
2008
The year 2008 was the eighth hottest year on record, tied with 2001. The year began with a La Niña that continued from late 2007, with unusually cold temperatures occurring the Middle East, central Asia, and China. Australia had its warmest January on record, followed by a heat wave in South Australia later in March. The year had above average precipitation, with Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macau experiencing their wettest month on record in June. A severe drought persisted in central South America from January until September. Approximately 87,500 people were killed by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Sichuan, China.
The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was more intense than usual due to La Ninã earlier in the year combined with above average sea surface temperatures. There were sixteen tropical storms, including eight hurricanes. The year's major hurricanes were Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Paloma, Hurricane Omar, and Hurricane Bertha. The 2008 Pacific typhoon season was less intense than usual with the fourth lowest accumulated cyclone energy index on record. There were twenty-six tropical cyclones, including twelve typhoons. The year's intense typhoons were Typhoon Jangmi, Typhoon Rammasun, Typhoon Nakri, Typhoon Sinlaku, and Typhoon Hagupit. The tropical cyclones caused severe floods and landslides in the Philippines and southern China. The season was the first since 1984 where no tropical cyclones made landfall in Japan.
2009
The year 2009 tied with 2006 as the fifth hottest year on record. It began in a La Niña period which ran until April, and was followed by El Niño from June through the end of the year. In January, a heat wave in southern Australia caused record-breaking temperatures while extreme cold occurred in northern and eastern Europe. A cold wave took place in Canada and the midwestern United States in July.
Central Europe faced severe floods following heavy rain in June, while major floods occurred in Turkey in September in Italy and India in October. A magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Italy killed approximately 300 people in April, and a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Indonesia killed approximately 1,100 people in September. An earthquake in the Pacific caused a major tsunami that struck American Samoa, Samoa, and Tonga.
The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season had nine named storms, including three hurricanes: Hurricane Bill, Hurricane Fred, and Hurricane Ida. This was the smallest number of named storms since the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season. The 2009 Pacific typhoon season was slightly below average in intensity overall, but it was the most destructive season for the Philippines in decades. The season had 25 named storms, including 14 typhoons. The most intense were Typhoon Nida, Typhoon Melor, Typhoon Choi-wan, Typhoon Lupit, and Typhoon Parma.