The U.N. Population Division now estimates that there will be 9 billion people alive in 2050.
That’s about 40% more than are alive now, and a number that the Earth can easily support if nations do not put economic barriers in the way of the free flow of resources (food, etc.).
In my view, the number is likely to cap out at 9 billion or a little higher, as the trend is already slowing worldwide. After it caps out, it’s like to start declining.
That’s not to say the future will be rosy in mid-century. Most of the growth will occur in developing nations whose leaders may not let them develop enough to handle their growing populations.
They may, for example, try protectionistic economic policies that spark trade wars and make it harder for their citizens to make money and buy what they need from elsewhere, leading to economic stagnation, recession, depression, and attempts by governments to start wars to get new resources (the real reason–coupled with national pride–that most wars are fought), to force abortion and other anti-child policies on their populations, or both.
Still, we’re not looking at a Malthusian crisis.
Of course, the 9 billion figure is predicated on the predictions of a department of the horribly corrupt and incompetent United Nations. It’s not an unreasonable figure, though, so
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Excerpt:
“Future population growth is highly dependent on the path that future fertility takes,” the report said.
No! Really?
