|
3.7.1 Population TrendsVersion 1.0 July 2020                                   (Previous Version) What are the major trends for population? Will population growth slow? When will it peak? Will it decline? Do we need to worry about the poor or the fanatics out growing the wealthy and moderates? Will human life be extended? Will the benefits only be available to the rich? Will there be enough people to sustain the elderly and infirm who can't work? Will a pandemic help to reduce the population significantly? This section covers population growth without delving into the details of medical advances, which are covered in Section 3.7.4. Current expectations are that the world population will peak at around 11 billion people and the median age will be 42 years. Some experts claim that the world has already achieved, or is close to, “peak birth” in which the number of children is no longer. The total population is still rising because overall people tend to live longer, so the average age of the population is increasing. It is expected that by 2100 that women on average will have fewer than two children each: if so, eventually the total population will decline. This is already happening in some countries such as Japan. Many European countries would have declining populations if they did not have high immigration rates. Several countries have rapidly increasing populations, especially in Africa and parts of Asia, which are poorer, religiously conservative (both Christian and Muslim), and provide less access to birth control. A major driver for the rapid population growth in the recent past is the improvements in public health, such as sanitation and sewerage systems, clean drinking water, and cleaner environments. Later on, public health included widespread vaccination to reduce infant deaths and epidemics. Reductions in population growth are driven by increased prosperity and economic certainty, and the education and empowerment of women and girls. We cover population trends under these headings:
This is the current summary of our conclusions in this area: 3.7.1 The projected increase in global population will further strain our environment and could lead to poverty, social unrest, inequality and war. Increased efforts to reduce economic inequality and improve education globally would help to contain unsustainable population growth. more (later)
Members can tell us (publicly) what they think of this page. How can we improve it? Enter your comments.
* * * * * * *
|
|
English (English)
Español (Spanish)
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of Country, throughout all colonised lands, and their connections to land, waters and community. We pay respect by giving voice to truth, values and social justice, acknowledging our shared history, and valuing the cultures of first nations peoples.
Copyright © 2008 - 2026 Trevor J Rogers, care of the address shown on this page. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the copyright owner. Any approved reproduction is permitted only with full attribution of the source, referring to this site and this copyright notice. The moral right of the author is asserted.
Top