Question

1. Most of the rapid population growth being seen today is occurring in developing countries, rather than in developed parts of the world. While these are typically populations with very low per-capita consumption rates, their sheer numbers are putting unsustainable pressures on their environment. While rates of growth are much slower in developed countries, their per-capita consumption rates are much higher, and have a much broader impact.If human population growth is going to continue at high rates, is it better that that growth happens in developing countries, or in developed countries?

Answer 1

It's best to have most of the growth happen in developed countries. This for several reasons:

• Developed countries as a whole have less population, so a population increase in these countries represents less people in absolute numbers.
• Developed countries can invest in green energy more easily. For example, in Germany, 27 percent of energy comes from renewable sources, and in Norway, an oil-exporting country nonetheless, around 30% of cars are electric. They can do this because they are wealthier, and investing in renewable energy can be expensive.
• Developed countries are not likely to grow at high rates anyway. Developed countries are aging fast, their population pyramids are bulky in the middle, and every year, less women are available for giving birth. Developed countries will not grow at high rates in the coming decades unless the receive massive immigration.