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Except in Africa. The population is expected to double until 2050 and potentially double again by 2100.[1] [1] https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-global-

Except in Africa. The population is expected to double until 2050 and potentially double again by 2100.[1] [1] https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-global-gates/africas-rapid-population-growth-puts-poverty-progress-at-risk-says-gates-idUKKCN1LY0GQ https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-global-gates/africa...

igravious 7y ago
That's okay, because the population density of Africa is very low (it's comparable to that of the Americas, much less than Europe/Asia)[1], it's currently only 15% of the world's population[2], and Africa is an enormous continent[3] the fact of which the Mercator projection distorts[4]. [1][2] https://www.geolounge.com/continents-population-density/ https://www.geolounge.com/continents-population-density/ [3] https://io9.gizmodo.com/africas-true-size-will-blow-you-away-1441076531 https://io9.gizmodo.com/africas-true-size-will-blow-you-away... [4] http://www.petersmap.com/ http://www.petersmap.com/
- danmaz74 7y ago
  It's an enormous continent, but a lot of it is covered by deserts and other inhospitable environments
- ElonsMosque 7y ago
  You're right there, however I'm afraid the issue won't be density but a much different issue: Unemployment. [1] Reason this could be a worldwide issue is the opportunity cost. Can we afford not to have a billion or more minds on board to solve some of the worlds most pressing problems? China is trying its best to industrialize and capitalize on the growth. But many are claiming their tactics are almost neocolonialist. [2] [1] https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/news/2018/african-governance-progress-lagging-behind-demographic-growth-expectations-youth-population/ https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/news/2018/african-governance-p... [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/magazine/is-china-the-worlds-new-colonial-power.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/magazine/is-china-the-wor...
beat 7y ago
As Hans Rosling pointed out in Factfulness, the birth and literacy rates in Sweden in the 19th century were on par with the poorest of African countries today, resulting in fully 20% of the population becoming refugees in North America to escape famine. And today, 150 years later, it's... Sweden. The ideal of modern civilization. He said he was born in "Egypt", by which he meant the economy of Sweden in the late 1940s was similar to Egypt today. With that in mind, is there any reason that the poor countries of Africa today can't be the Sweden of tomorrow? It's more irrational to say they'll stay poor and overpopulated than it is to say they'll become wealthy and modern with zero population growth.
- notfromhere 7y ago
  Sweden has 10 million people, Egypt has 100 million. Egypt doesn't have the resources or space to grow to a Swedish standard of living.
  - jessaustin 7y ago
    Egypt is the cradle of civilization. The Nile hasn't gone anywhere. As soon as they get their heads out their asses and let farmers own farms rather than military cronies, they'll be able to feed themselves again.
    - notfromhere 7y ago
      cradle of civilization doesn't have much to do with resource constraints or the realities of Egypt's ability to reach a Swedish level of consumption.
      - jessaustin 7y ago
        No, see, "cradle of civilization" is exactly about resource constraints. They have water and sunlight and good soil, and those are the resources needed for agriculture. People living in Egypt and running short on grain is a temporary condition that condemns their government not a permanent one that condemns their land.

igravious 7y ago

That's okay, because the population density of Africa is very low (it's comparable to that of the Americas, much less than Europe/Asia)[1], it's currently only 15% of the world's population[2], and Africa is an enormous continent[3] the fact of which the Mercator projection distorts[4]. [1][2] https://www.geolounge.com/continents-population-density/ https://www.geolounge.com/continents-population-density/ [3] https://io9.gizmodo.com/africas-true-size-will-blow-you-away-1441076531 https://io9.gizmodo.com/africas-true-size-will-blow-you-away... [4] http://www.petersmap.com/ http://www.petersmap.com/

danmaz74 7y ago
It's an enormous continent, but a lot of it is covered by deserts and other inhospitable environments
ElonsMosque 7y ago
You're right there, however I'm afraid the issue won't be density but a much different issue: Unemployment. [1] Reason this could be a worldwide issue is the opportunity cost. Can we afford not to have a billion or more minds on board to solve some of the worlds most pressing problems? China is trying its best to industrialize and capitalize on the growth. But many are claiming their tactics are almost neocolonialist. [2] [1] https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/news/2018/african-governance-progress-lagging-behind-demographic-growth-expectations-youth-population/ https://mo.ibrahim.foundation/news/2018/african-governance-p... [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/magazine/is-china-the-worlds-new-colonial-power.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/magazine/is-china-the-wor...

beat 7y ago

As Hans Rosling pointed out in Factfulness, the birth and literacy rates in Sweden in the 19th century were on par with the poorest of African countries today, resulting in fully 20% of the population becoming refugees in North America to escape famine. And today, 150 years later, it's... Sweden. The ideal of modern civilization. He said he was born in "Egypt", by which he meant the economy of Sweden in the late 1940s was similar to Egypt today. With that in mind, is there any reason that the poor countries of Africa today can't be the Sweden of tomorrow? It's more irrational to say they'll stay poor and overpopulated than it is to say they'll become wealthy and modern with zero population growth.

notfromhere 7y ago
Sweden has 10 million people, Egypt has 100 million. Egypt doesn't have the resources or space to grow to a Swedish standard of living.
- jessaustin 7y ago
  Egypt is the cradle of civilization. The Nile hasn't gone anywhere. As soon as they get their heads out their asses and let farmers own farms rather than military cronies, they'll be able to feed themselves again.
  - notfromhere 7y ago
    cradle of civilization doesn't have much to do with resource constraints or the realities of Egypt's ability to reach a Swedish level of consumption.
    - jessaustin 7y ago
      No, see, "cradle of civilization" is exactly about resource constraints. They have water and sunlight and good soil, and those are the resources needed for agriculture. People living in Egypt and running short on grain is a temporary condition that condemns their government not a permanent one that condemns their land.