In 1950 there were 2.5 billion humans, today there are 7.7 billion, but by the end of the century there will only be ~11 billion.
And at that point, most humans alive will be working age or older (approximately ~3.5 working age adults for every U15).
A lack of human population growth will be one of the defining economic issues this century, with a chance at unfortunately solving the issue of rising incomes at the same time.
That might be true, but the caloric consumption of the population is changing. People are transitioning from staple based diets (rice, wheat, etc.) to more complex diets (non native fruits/vegetables, meat). As poor countries gain wealth they want the food to match.
Oh absolutely, I didn’t mean to imply falling growth will neatly solve all the issues they listed so much as continue my one sided feud with our distorted ideas of future population levels.
Should have left out the income quip at the end in hindsight!
In 1950 there were 2.5 billion humans, today there are 7.7 billion, but by the end of the century there will only be ~11 billion.
And at that point, most humans alive will be working age or older (approximately ~3.5 working age adults for every U15).
A lack of human population growth will be one of the defining economic issues this century, with a chance at unfortunately solving the issue of rising incomes at the same time.