ABSTRACT
Malthus came to this conclusion after noting that in the United States, where resources were not a binding constraint, the population reportedly doubled every 25 years. As for food, Malthus reasoned that nowhere on Earth could food supplies double every 25 years, and at best they could grow by the amount of the 1798 food supply every 25 years. Starting with a food supply that would feed the 7 million people in his home of England, he felt the best-case scenario was that there would be enough food for 14 million people in 25 years, 21 million people in 50 years, 28 million people in 75 years, and so on. At the same time, if the population were unchecked and doubled over each 25-year period, there would be 14, 28, and 56 million people in 25, 50, and 75 years. Figure 9.1 illustrates the dreary conclusion that the food supply would fall short of consumptive needs after 25 years.
