Final answer:
The worldwide population is growing exponentially due to scientific advances that have decreased mortality and increased Earth's carrying capacity, alongside the compounding effect of a large base population. Despite a global decline in fertility rates, the substantial number of people contributes to ongoing growth, mainly in underdeveloped regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The worldwide population is growing exponentially primarily due to advancements in science and technology that have significantly decreased mortality rates and increased the carrying capacity of the Earth. Despite a decline in fertility rates, especially in developed countries, the base size of the human population is already large. This means that a small percentage increase still translates to a significant number of additional people every year. The exponential growth pattern is especially pronounced in economically underdeveloped areas such as parts of Asia and Africa, where fertility rates remain higher than the global average.
Medical advances have contributed to lower death rates and an increase in life expectancy, which sustains population growth. Innovations in agriculture have boosted food production, and better communication systems have facilitated the spread of knowledge on health and family planning. However, even with advancements and lower fertility rates, the population is still growing because of the compounding effect of the existing large population base.
The pattern of human population growth has changed drastically since 10,000 BCE. The population has soared particularly rapidly in recent centuries, reflecting the characteristics of exponential growth. For instance, the population only took 12 years to grow from six billion to seven billion, a rate much faster than previously seen. This trend raises concerns about the sustainability of resources and the potential long-term impacts on the environment.