DEMOGRAPHICS

Currently, the global demographic problem manifests itself in such aspects and trends as:

  • Fast population growth (overpopulation of territories) in the developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America (over 80% according to some estimates and about 95% according to other estimates), which are characterized by a low space economy;
  • Most Third World countries have no population growth control or clear demographic policy;
  • Ageing and depopulation resulting from narrowed population reproduction (demographic crisis) in industrialized countries, primarily in Western Europe;
  • Uneven population growth worldwide;
  • Population reproduction growth typical of the planet when mortality decline is not matched with birthrate decline.

It is characteristic that the lower the economic level of a country and the quality of life of its citizens the higher its birthrate; and conversely, there is a sustained tendency of birthrate decline with high economic growth, resulting in the fact that the elderly become a majority (converse proportionate relationship).

The intensity of the global demographic problem derives from its environmental implications: the current population of the planet exceeds by ten times the limit the Earth can support. Population density and growth outpace the capacity and technology of agricultural production to meet growing food demands and the need to intensify the economy.

According to social scientists, the reasons why the current demographic problem has acquired a global character lie in the so-called “demographic boom” of the second half of the 20th century, when after World War II appropriate conditions formed for population growth and longer average life expectancy. It is believed that every second the world population increases by three people.

The demographic boom and uneven population growth in different regions lead to the aggravation of associated global problems, for example:

  • demographic pressure on the environment;
  • ethnic and intercultural problems (interethnic and intercultural conflicts);
  • immigration and migration;
  • destitution, poverty, and food shortages;
  • urbanization (“slum urbanization”);
  • unemployment, production forces placement deformation etc.

The demographic problem is one of the most important and problematic. First, no clear and, more importantly, legally and ethically acceptable world mechanism has yet been developed to decrease the population growth rate. Second, even from the financial point of view the problem is hard to solve due to the paradox of reverse proportionate dependence between the standard of living and birthrate in various countries.

Proposals to resolve demographic problems of the global world have special value in light of their complex character. We would be grateful to users of our website for new statistical data, analysis, ideas, projects and solutions in this field.

Subscribe