Worldwide Population History
- estimated worldwide population of 5 million people in 8,000 BC
- slow increase as people expanded throughout the globe
- agricultural age was required to grow, but we experienced the Malthusian Trap
- urbanization thanks to energy technologies such as oil and electricity helped us escape the trap
- results in massive urbanization and population growth
- world population and wealth surged from 1880
- child mortality dropped from 44% to 5%!
- life expectancy increased dramatically
- Urbanization has resulted in lower birth rates
- Technology (biotech) that extends lifespans will be needed to increase population