The hottest Population Substack posts right now

Population forecasts are not facts, they are projections based on different scenarios.
Different groups and academics have varying forecasts that contradict UN projections.
Forecasts are more like art than science, showing trends but not definite outcomes.

A group in Bihar stole a 60-foot steel bridge using bulldozers and gas cutters.
A pond in Bihar was stolen by criminals who built a hut over it and fled the scene.
A gang in Bihar scammed over 10,000 men by promising them money for impregnating women in a masterclass of deception.

Depopulation, not climate change, is identified as the major problem facing humanity this century.
Reasons for declining birth rates worldwide include expenses of raising children, changing work expectations, increased education levels, deteriorating hope for the future, and poor dating/marriage prospects.
A declining birth rate poses challenges like an aging population and reduced tax base, necessitating solutions beyond governmental systems.

Fertility rates are dropping globally, with India being the only top 20 GDP country above 2.05 and potentially falling below 2 as wealth increases.
Energy consumption is crucial for quality of life and sustainability. Clean, portable energy sources are needed for a better future.
Humans consume around 100 watts of energy daily, with comparisons to common energy uses like electricity, gasoline, and jet fuel. Understanding energy consumption per capita highlights the disparity in energy usage between countries like the United States and Somalia.

Comparative advantage in economics explains why all countries benefit from trade, not just the most efficient ones. It also applies to trade between individuals.
Visualizing comparative advantage on a production possibility frontier helps illustrate the maximum possible production of goods. It shows the optimal ratio of goods to produce and how diminishing marginal returns can limit the benefits.
In determining optimal populations and trade decisions, the effects of comparative advantage may be near-insignificant with only two goods, but could be more substantial with a larger variety of goods. Free trade brings benefits beyond comparative advantage due to increased returns to scale.

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