This is the first of a series of posts syndicated from Pete Laburn’s website, in which Pete discusses what he believes to be the important global trends occurring in the world right now. This series will form part of a broader talk that he delivers simply called: “Right Whats Wrong”.
The world’s current population stands at about 6,8 b – and for many it seems already overcrowded. This, not just from a commuter perspective, but from a resource perspective. The human race (particularly in the western / have world) seems to have an insatiable desire for more – lets just call it conspicuous consumption….
We also know that population growth in those parts of the world with relatively higher education and good access to medical care is more or less stagnant – an average of about 2 children per couple. These are typically known as the traditional “haves” of the world.
Compare that with the traditional “have nots”. These populations are uneducated, have limited access to medical care and are still at the 6 children per family average. They also accept that not all 6 will survive infancy. It is here that over the next 40 years a further 2 billion people are projected to come into the world. It’s a sobering thought.
So what does this all mean and more importantly what does it hold for shaping your perspective moving forward? Here are a couple of things to think about with regard to population trends moving forward into the next decade:
1. The huge desire of many previous ‘have nots’ to find a way to move up the economic ladder – aided by many international organizations and the ubiquitous power of technology, means that a further 2 billion are likely to move into the ‘middle class’ globally – all with the need for electricity, modern gadgets and many desiring the conspicuous consumption lifestyles exhibited by aspirant middle classes everywhere will mean even more strain on our natural, food and water resources.
2. The mass urbanization of the populations – as many move to the cities in search of work, better opportunities. So mega cities are burgeoning across the world. This will result in increasing social challenges – housing, education, infra-structure growth.
Resource stretching, overcrowding and the social ramifications of this all of link into one another. Despite this, these people are all living in an obsolete paradigm about how the world, and particularly the world of work and revenue generating opportunities are developing. The result – possible and even bigger divide between “haves” and “have nots”. But more of this in my next blog…
Let me know what you think some of the key trends and effects of population growth will be in the comments section below. It would be fascinating to develop more perspective on this.