The Population of Planet Earth over the Past 12,000 Years [View all]
The chart below tells a fascinating story. It begins in 10,000 BC and charts estimates of the Earth's human population up to the year 2000. The population from 10,000 BC up to about 2000 BC was low and remained stable, according to these estimates. Then, it began to rise very slowly. Likely, that was because civilization and agriculture was beginning to develop, which allowed more people to survive. Using figures from other sources, I can supply some numbers. In the year 1 CE (AD), the global population was roughly 300 Million. China and the Roman Empire dominated those data. It's worthy of note that the total population of the United States in 2018 is close to 320 million.
1 CE is in the midst of the Iron Age. Growth continued at a slow rate until about 1000 CE, and then started to accelerate. Agriculture, civilization and technology were developing at that time, allowing more people to be fed and survive. If you look at the right side of the chart, you will notice a hyperbolic rise of population that coincides with the very beginnings of science, trade, and industry in about the middle of the second millennium. Once industry was widespread, the population figures spike sharply up, accelerating at an astonishing rate. Today, we have about 7.2 Billion people inhabiting this planet. Going from 300 Million to 7.2 Billion in just 2000 years is mind boggling.
When will we hit 8 Billion? Estimates vary, but it's expected around 2025-2030. The growth curve is almost vertical at this point in human existence. Will it slow down? Perhaps. Some models show it leveling off and stabilizing at about 10 Billion. Why? Because there simply will not be enough resources. One model shows population beginning to fall not long after that. We can't predict, because we don't know the future.
Look at this chart. Try to wrap your mind around what it represents. We are living in the times of peak human population. The current growth rate is unsustainable. It is a problem.
Chart Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_population_estimates
= new reply since forum marked as read
