Global Deflation Pandemic Begins to Brew

[Helena]

Why would you expect that? Is someone predicting that worldwide standards of living will rise to US/European standards in under 100 years? Is someone predicting a vast war or global pandemic? I don't see any demographic trends that would lead to decreased world population.

UN stats


U.N. sees world population decline by 2050

August 1, 2009


A United Nations report predicts that within less than a decade, most of the world's women will be producing fewer than two children, and by mid-century, the world's population will shrink for the first time since the Black Death in the 14th century.


Currently, world fertility is only half what it was in the 1960s.


The prevailing wisdom holds that, as nations develop their economies, women will increasingly favor conventional families of two parents and two children, stabilizing the human race at 10 billion to 12 billion people compared with 6 billion today.


But now it appears more likely that world population will peak at just 8 billion, then shrink in the second half of the century, says the U.N.

Joseph Chamie, who directs the U.N.'s population division, reports that fertility in more than 60 nations is already below replacement levels and that actual population decline has been postponed only because people are living longer.


By some estimates, the world's population will be cut in half within the next 1½ centuries. In Mexico, Brazil and India, birth rates are plummeting. In Africa, AIDS has cut average life expectancy by more than 10 years.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/1696156,CST-NWS-population02.article





Here is an interesting video trailer on the subject

Demographic Winter

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[quietman]

Wow. If true - and I still have my doubts - world economies will have to undergo a huge shift away from assuming unrelenting growth. New housing starts becomes meaningless above the few units needed to replace housing stock destroyed for some reason. Consumerism can only drive expansion by increasing consumption per person, instead of increasing population. Will be a brave new world. Countries will want to encourage immigration if they want to grow, especially relative to their neighbors.

 

[brewer12345]

Anyone who thinks they can predict what will happen in 40 years has a screw loose. Most of us would be happy with the next 40 minutes.

 

[ERD50]

UN stats


U.N. sees world population decline by 2050

August 1, 2009


A United Nations report predicts that within less than a decade, most of the world's women will be producing fewer than two children, and by mid-century, the world's population will shrink for the first time since the Black Death in the 14th century.


Curre
U.N. sees world population decline by 2050 :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: World


Here is an interesting video trailer on the subject

Demographic Winter

YouTube - Demographic Winter Trailer

Helena, thanks for providing a reference - that helps us to understand if it is just some random opinion (which is fine) or something with a real basis.

-ERD50

 

[Leonidas]

...Joseph Chamie, who directs the U.N.'s population division, reports that fertility in more than 60 nations is already below replacement levels and that actual population decline has been postponed only because people are living longer.

Interesting, but Chamie has written extensively on the subject and, outside of this article, his writings don't seem as conclusive about a one way trip for the world population. In fact, he says that there is a very small tipping point of about a quarter of a percent that can lead to overpopulation or loss of population. However, he does state that most demographers doing long range projections see fertility levels stabilizing right around the replacement rate of 2.1 births per female. Between here and there though, he does forecast some huge shifts in demographics in different parts of the world.

...today approximately 45 percent of the world’s population resides in countries with below-replacement fertility versus less than 1 percent of world in the 1950s.

In the interim, Chamie sees the path we set in policymaking is crucial to what he calls "perhaps the paramount issue of the 21st century". (Chemie is no longer with the U.N. and is now the research director for the Center for Migration Studies).

Here is an interesting video trailer on the subject.

I don't think I want to spend $20 for the DVD, but if I can find it to rent or download someplace I might do that. At the end of the trailer I noticed what seemed like a repeat of Chamie's declaration that policy making is going to be vital, with the addition that strengthening marriage is paramount to...survival? That should make for some interesting policy debates.

 

[WhoDaresWins]

Interesting YouTube video. I believe it was in the WSJ that I read that divorces are down due to the recession. And I read someplace else that singles are more interested in marrying and home life. And doing things that don't cost a lot of money with family, including cooking at home, board games, camping, are up. And saving is up, too. Maybe something good will come out of this period of time if we don't forget all about it when we eventually have a sustained recovery.

 

[quietman]

today approximately 45 percent of the world’s population resides in countries with below-replacement fertility

If the "tipping point" is indeed as small as 1/4 of 1 percent, then I'm not sure this prediction will be as likely as he implies. A large portion of that 45% reside in China where aggressive population controls are resulting in lower birthrates and an unbalanced sex ratio. Would not be surprising at all to see backlash there sometime in the next 40 years.

 

[haha]

Après nous, le déluge! But we don't care, we are Boomers, God's chosen people.

But, as a last ditch Demographic Hail Mary, I would be willing to volunteer for a select corps of proven breeders to marry up to four young women who lust for motherhood. Of course, we will need full state support including medical/obstetrical, as well as state provided day care to allow us to concentrate out energies on job #1.

See, there is always a silver lining. Patriotism and the good of humanity are powerful lures to sacrifice.

Ha

 

[WhoDaresWins]

As per a previous post, Haha, we will all have to chip in and get you a plane ticket for Chile or Peru or wherever that was. And didn't some one mention the rush for young women to marry in Japan? Just don't go to China, too many bachelors and not enough young women. There is a bidding war for the young women, especially in the hinterlands.

 

[Helena]

Asia's Demographic Winter


YouTube - 101 East - Asia's Baby Crisis - 03 July 08 - Part 1



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[unclemick]

Après nous, le déluge! But we don't care, we are Boomers, God's chosen people.

But, as a last ditch Demographic Hail Mary, I would be willing to volunteer for a select corps of proven breeders to marry up to four young women who lust for motherhood. Of course, we will need full state support including medical/obstetrical, as well as state provided day care to allow us to concentrate out energies on job #1.

See, there is always a silver lining. Patriotism and the good of humanity are powerful lures to sacrifice.

Ha

I watch Dr Strangelove reruns - I always enjoy the proposed ending.

heh heh heh -

 

[brewer12345]

Après nous, le déluge! But we don't care, we are Boomers, God's chosen people.

But, as a last ditch Demographic Hail Mary, I would be willing to volunteer for a select corps of proven breeders to marry up to four young women who lust for motherhood. Of course, we will need full state support including medical/obstetrical, as well as state provided day care to allow us to concentrate out energies on job #1.

See, there is always a silver lining. Patriotism and the good of humanity are powerful lures to sacrifice.

Ha

Here's bride #1:



3 more on the way...

 

[Independent]

Après nous, le déluge! But we don't care, we are Boomers, God's chosen people.

But, as a last ditch Demographic Hail Mary, I would be willing to volunteer for a select corps of proven breeders to marry up to four young women who lust for motherhood. Of course, we will need full state support including medical/obstetrical, as well as state provided day care to allow us to concentrate out energies on job #1.

See, there is always a silver lining. Patriotism and the good of humanity are powerful lures to sacrifice.

Ha

I don't think you've got the right reason for the drop in birth rates. It isn't a lack of men. It's because once women get a little education and opportunity, they decide they have better things to do with their lives than make babies.