https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PCAAB500.pdf

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

4

EXECUTIVE SUMARY

World Demographic Trends

1. World population growth since World War 11 is quantitatively and qualitatively

different from any previous epoch in human history. The rapid reduction in death rates,

unmatched by corresponding birth rate reductions, has brought total growth rates close to 2

percent a year, compared with about 1 percent before World War II, under 0.5 percent in

1750-1900, and far lower rates before 1750. The effect is to double the world's population in 35

years instead of 100 years. Almost 80 million are now being added each year, compared with 10

million in 1900.

1. The second new feature of population trends is the sharp differentiation between rich

and poor countries. Since 1950, population in the former group has been growing at O to 1.5

percent per year, and in the latter at 2.0 to 3.5 percent (doubling in 20 to 35 years). Some of the

highest rates of increase are in areas already densely populated and with a weak resource base.

1. Because of the momentum of population dynamics, reductions in birth rates affect

total numbers only slowly. High birth rates in the recent past have resulted in a high proportion m

the youngest age groups, so that there will continue to be substantial population increases over

many years even if a two-child family should become the norm in the future. Policies to reduce

fertility will have their main effects on total numbers only after several decades. However, if

future numbers are to be kept within reasonable bounds, it is urgent that measures to reduce

fertility be started and made effective in the 1970's and 1980's. Moreover, programs started now

to reduce birth rates will have short run advantages for developing countries in lowered demands

on food, health and educational and other services and in enlarged capacity to contribute to

productive investments, thus accelerating development.

1. U.N. estimates use the 3.6 billion population of 1970 as a base (there are nearly 4

billion now) and project from about 6 billion to 8 billion people for the year 2000 with the U.S.

medium estimate at 6.4 billion. The U.S. medium projections show a world population of 12

billion by 2075 which implies a five-fold increase in south and southeast Asia and in Latin

American and a seven-fold increase in Africa, compared with a doubling in east Asia and a 40%

increase in the presently developed countries (see Table I). Most demographers, including the

U.N. and the U.S. Population Council, regard the range of 10 to 13 billion as the most likely

level for world population stability, even with intensive efforts at fertility control. (These figures

assume, that sufficient food could be produced and distributed to avoid limitation through

famines.)