Exploring Population Growth, Essay Example

Why is global population growth the most critical issue today?

Life expectancy is expected to continue rising owing to the advancement in medicine and technology. The baby boomers are reaching retirement age and as such the US population is expected to become progressively older.  Even as the baby boomer period dies from the scene other countries are experiencing progressively older populations. This will have social and economic implications for all countries in the world.  The concept of globalization will see increased demographic changes and as such an ageing population may well lead towards lower average living standards. We are already starting to see the concerns over sufficient funds in State Pension schemes and Governments making adjustments in order to preserve the integrity of state pension schemes. “Put in simplest terms, the recent population growth in all regions of the world was the consequence not of increased birth rates but of unprecedented, worldwide decreases in the death rate” (Haub, 1995).

Are all age groups growing at the same rate?

The increase in the senior population is not purely confined to the USA. This is being experienced throughout the world.  “This increase can be attributed to “advances in science, technology and medicine leading to reductions in infant and maternal mortality, infectious and parasitic diseases, occupational safety measures, and improvements in nutrition and education.” (O’Brien, 2010).  The birth rate in the USA has been declining in the last 12 years and the trend continues “CDC analysts say the birth rate is dropping as the increasing life span of Americans results in a smaller proportion of women of child childbearing age.” (Longley, 2010).  As such it makes no sense to lower birthrates in the USA. Even the situation in China has resulted in complications and may need new policy directives.

Works Cited

Haub, C. (1995, 7). Global and U.S. National Population Trends. Retrieved 10 22, 2010, from Consequences: http://www.gcrio.org/consequences/summer95/population.html

Longley, R. (2010). U.S. Birth Rate Hits All-Time Low. Retrieved 10 22, 2010, from About.com: http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/censusstatistic/a/aabirthrate.htm

O’Brien, S. (2010). Aging Population: Seniors are Fastest Growing Population Worldwide. Retrieved 10 22, 2010, from About: http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lifetransitionsaging/a/seniorpop.htm