The following graphs show Earth's hypothetical human population growth based on 1% annual growth rate beginning with 6 billion (6 X 10^9) at year 2000. Each succeeding graph begins at the end of the previous graph.
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
*
Figure 4.
Figure 5.
*
The red asterisk in Figure 2 indicates the approximate time, prior to year 3080 A. D., when there would be one human for each square meter of land. A little more than one millennium from 2000 A. D.
The red asterisk in Figure 5 indicates the approximate time when the mass of human bodies would equal the mass of the Earth. Calculation is based on average body weight of 150 lbs.
Dates for equivalent events for different rates of population growth may be found by multiplying by the ratio of 1% to the different rate. For examples: For ½% rate of growth multiply by 2; for 2% rate of growth, multiply by ½.
Of course, human population can never reach the first of the above conditions, never mind the second. That is the point. It is intended to accentuate the thoughtless, wishful belief perpetuated by superstitious economists, self-serving politicians, and ignorant journalists that there are no limits. It may be that population will not double after 2000 A. D.; population growth rates are reported to be in decline. According to estimates presented in links below, the rate could fall below 1% by 2015. Wishful apologia? Are the limits already happening? If population doubling is not to happen, birth rates must drop further or death rates must increase or a combination of both. Given a casual observation of written history, it is predictable that death rates will rise.
Population Timeline U. S. Census Projections
U. N. Population Information Network World Population
| TOP OF PAGE | RETURN TO INDEX | RETURN TO HOMEPAGE |