Mota Boy
03-18-2005, 05:03 PM
Traditionally, people have worried about the threat of overpopulation. But, much like how the fear of global cooling in the sixties gave way to the threat of global warming today, increasingly, political scientists and sociologists are worrying about the implications of depopulation.
Yes, depopulation has increasingly become a global phenomenon. Once focused on developed countries, depopulation is spreading. Since 1972, the global birthrate has been halved. In 1970, a typical woman in the developing world bore six children. Today that number has dropped to 2.7. In 2002, birthrates fell below replacement levels in 20 developing countries. 2002 also witnessed the first time the United Nations began projecting global population as dropping rather than rising.
What does this mean? For many countries, it begs the question of how will society support itself. By 2050, 42 percent of Italy and Japan will be over the age of 59, such an age gap is unprecedented. Economies are expected to contract as the pool of potential consumers shrinks. This is suspected to be behind Japan's recent depression and perhaps even Germany's economic malaise.
What's the cause of this? Increasingly, women are going to school and joining the workforce and many don't have time for families. Also, by the time more educated women are ready to start having children, their best child-bearing years are often behind them. Also, children have become more of an economic liability than a boon. We have nursing homes to take care of you in your old age, and the cost of raising a child is enormous. Several governments have created programs to increase population, but none have been successful.
It's possible that this could result in increasing conservatism, as more religious, conservative individuals tend to have larger families
OK, time for me to rush out into the weekend, you bastards will have to research/talk about this on your own. Enjoy.
Yes, depopulation has increasingly become a global phenomenon. Once focused on developed countries, depopulation is spreading. Since 1972, the global birthrate has been halved. In 1970, a typical woman in the developing world bore six children. Today that number has dropped to 2.7. In 2002, birthrates fell below replacement levels in 20 developing countries. 2002 also witnessed the first time the United Nations began projecting global population as dropping rather than rising.
What does this mean? For many countries, it begs the question of how will society support itself. By 2050, 42 percent of Italy and Japan will be over the age of 59, such an age gap is unprecedented. Economies are expected to contract as the pool of potential consumers shrinks. This is suspected to be behind Japan's recent depression and perhaps even Germany's economic malaise.
What's the cause of this? Increasingly, women are going to school and joining the workforce and many don't have time for families. Also, by the time more educated women are ready to start having children, their best child-bearing years are often behind them. Also, children have become more of an economic liability than a boon. We have nursing homes to take care of you in your old age, and the cost of raising a child is enormous. Several governments have created programs to increase population, but none have been successful.
It's possible that this could result in increasing conservatism, as more religious, conservative individuals tend to have larger families
OK, time for me to rush out into the weekend, you bastards will have to research/talk about this on your own. Enjoy.