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Publication | 03.03.2022Global Population Growth and Sustainable Development
The world population will grow in the coming years, but at a much slower rate. A recently released UN report, BiB researcher Dr. Frank Swiaczny contributed to, provides new findings in this regard. Current UN projections assume that by the end of the 21st century, almost 11 billion people will live on earth. This development will effect many different areas, as the UN report points out.
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The report explores the links between global population growth and the social, economic and environmental dimensions for a sustainable development of the world's population. It not only analyzes demographic processes, but also identifies the drivers of population growth such as fertility, mortality and international migration.
Does a growing world population endanger sustainable development?
In addition, there are the socio-economic processes and consequences that are interrelated in many ways with population growth and its consequences for the planet. Last but not least, the focus is on the consequences of growth for the sustainable development of the environment. In this context, the consequences of a steadily growing world population for climate change are also analyzed.
Consequences of growing populations on a global scale
BiB scientist Dr. Frank Swiaczny, who contributed to the UN analyses, points out these connections in particular: "The main drivers of climate change are the wealthy countries of the global North, and it is here in particular where countermeasures must be taken, including restructering the economic system economy. In low- and middle-income countries, on the other hand, growing populations make it necessary to invest more in human development and especially in education, while creating decent jobs. This growth must also be made environmentally sustainable. This is a difficult challenge for these countries, which are already suffering greatly from climate change and currently also particularly from the pandemic."