ABSTRACT
World population growth is dependent on many factors, but the primary ones are the demographic transition status of the individual societies. Inexpensive oil and high agricultural productivity go hand in hand and encourage population growth. Strategic planning needs to reflect the population of the world increasing to more than 9 billion people in 2050, then slower growth and peaking at 10 billion in 2080. The continuing increase in life spans throughout the world will primarily impact the developing world where improving medical services and increased standards of living are occurring. Planning needs to recognize the rapidly growing third world with large unemployment; and a Western world with a stable or decreasing populations and potential labor shortages will provide many challenges and opportunities. The economic model of all countries currently relies on increasing populations to increase growth and gross domestic product; population changes are precursors of economic growth patterns within the individual countries or regions.
