The UN Population Division report of 2022 projects world population to continue growing after 2050, although at a steadily decreasing rate, to peak at 10.4 billion in 2086, and then to start a slow decline to about 10.3 billion in 2100 with a growth rate at that time of -0.1%.
This estinmate is dropping almost every year. If the worlds population growth goes into reverse
How will we cope with a shrinking workforce, an aging population, and potential economic challenges, but also potentially lower resource consumption and environmental impact
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By 2050 the predictiion is that the world s population will be 25% larger but stable - however there are massive error bars on this. By 2050 with birth rates falling and losses due to famine, wars, natural disasters, and new diseases many predict we will be seeing an aging population and the problems that entails. With global warming certain parts of the world could become unithabitable and we are already seeing migrations to cooler climates. A more obvous problem is a rising sea level coud swamp most of our major cities world wide. 33% of the worlds population live below 50 feet above sea level. If the Grenland ice cap were to melt that would raise water height 25 feet. No one is anticipating this but monitors of glacier movements show alarming accelaration. This probably isnt my problem but it probably is yours. What should we do right now ?
@Captain The problem will be self correcting. Food and fresh water shortages will create tensions that will break out onto small wars. While population and dropping fertility rates in the developed nations will keep the birth rate below replacement levels there.😷
@Roundandroundwego I was dubious at first about a year ago when I heard this but the more Ive followed the news etc the more Ive convinced myself there's a real possibility we'll have a shrinking population and to be honest I think we are getitng there faster than we think we wll be - wiht or without a world war.
@Captain yes, of course we will, the aging of the population guarantees it. The mindset of the majority never changed. The people refuse to plan for a real future and denialism extends to our very number! We shall not plan for success - only war!
@Roundandroundwego Yes I think what your sayng is everyone is expecting a war so no one is worried about population decline as its going to happen. The other opinion was that things like infrastructre would have to be reduced so would be more problems and so a declining population would cause a disprotitionatly larger loss in economic activity and therefore a severe ecomic recession. And no one is concerned. A far worse prediction than I expected and a general apathy ???
@Captain people simply aren't responsible or realistic, caring for the population seems not to be an ethical imperative to them - that's easy to explain,! Conservative politics. Their hopes and aspirations are evil, because they are. It's cultural.
@Roundandroundwego But wasnt there a once upon a time when people did care about each other - about their neighbours. My sister uxed to live in a lesser part of Chesterfield and she couldnt speak more highly of the community spirit and how others would look after her, but they were in a poor area - is that the answer. Poorer and less materialistic people are actually more generous because hey have less to protect ??
@Captain I lived in that kind of time and also in very difficult times and places. The people in a position to create and design our reality and our politics - our desires, aspirations and lifestyle - were always ready to answer my questions about why? - "Because when people are absorbed in putting food on the table you can really make a killing and they're not killing you." And, "Because somebody always destroys everything and takes over as owners - that's what people do." It's the same mentality now, throughout the working class and its owners.
