1 minute read
Overpopulation
from Do I Matter?
These attitudes promote the idea that overpopulation is a real problem and abortion is the solution. Is this true? In reality, the population has increased because people are living longer, not because they are having “too many kids.”
In 1950, the average worldwide life expectancy was 46.9 years old. Based on projections, in 2050 the average person will live until 77. In 1950, the average woman had five births. Now, the average woman has two.
1950: 5 births per woman | Now: 2 births per woman
According to the U.N., 7.8 billion people will live on the Earth in 2021. If we were to give every person on the planet a 31 x 31 ft. plot of land on which to live, we would need 266,320 Square miles. Texas has 268,596 square miles.
To maintain its population, a nation’s fertility rate must be at least 2.1 children per woman. In 2020, the US fertility rate was 1.64 children per woman. Out of 227 countries reporting, only 97 are above replacement level.
Maintaining sufficient workers to share the economic burden of providing Social Security and medical care for the elderly proves crucial to a population that exhibits increased life expectancy.
With the declining birth rate in our world, will there be enough people to support future generations?
Let's take a look at our elderly to working adults ratio. In 2019, the ratio was 26 elderly per 100 working adults. In 2030, it is projected to be 42 elderly to 100 working adults. In 2050, 49 elderly to 100 working adults.
