The population in the US is starting to plateau. Is this a good thing or bad?
By prettyruby
@prettyruby (350)
United States
October 19, 2011 1:24am CST
For a long time the U.S. recited the mantra that 'growth is good', and the country, and indeed the world, grew and grew. Now we are closing in on 7 billion people on this planet, but a majority of that growth is seen in developing countries such as China and India.
For the first time, the U.S.'s population is starting to plateau. This means that the birth rate is no longer higher than the death rate. Countries such as Japan have already encountered this phenomenon. Indeed Japan has a declining population with more deaths than births.
Some people believe that an aging population means that there will make a nation less innovative and therefore, less relevant in the future economy. Others believe that this is a path that all nation's should strive to achieve as our planet is becoming overpopulated.
What do you think? Do you believe that our world is overpopulated and that this plateau is a good sign? Or, do you think the U.S.' plateau means that it is losing its bright, young minds for the future?
3 responses
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
20 Oct 11
There's always a good point and a bad point to everything. Our planet is not growing, just us LOL That makes it somewhat limited for uncontrolled growth.
Yet, an aging population has it's low points too. AS people age and retire, well... who's gonna take over ? :) Less younger workers replacing an aging labour force can decrease productivity in general.
To maintain it or counteract it, immigrant labour is often needed.
As I said everything has is pros and cons. Plateau seems more or less balanced for me :)
@prettyruby (350)
• United States
21 Oct 11
Haha, I am in agreement. I'm less worried about the current size of the population and more worried about its continuous growth. I think reaching a good plateau should be a goal for all countries. After all, the more people there are, the more problems there are.
Personally, I don't see a problem with immigrant labor. After all, we're all people!
1 person likes this
@masang (295)
• Philippines
19 Oct 11
In other terminology we call it "zero population". It's not only U.S but also other countries in Europe especially those who have laws on contraception and abortion is legal. Nations who experience a decline of their population will really suffer the consequences of controlling the population. Even how rich the nation is but without human resources the economy will be at stake and then time will come that their races will soon to vanish. The most important is HUMAN RESOURCES. We are not over populated actually. It's only a myth. All peoples of the world can even reside in Arizona. It's a danger sign when population of a certain nation is decreasing. That's why in the Philippines, the Catholic church strongly oppose the Reproductive Health Bill because of its domino effect when it will be implemented just like what happen in other countries.
@masang (295)
• Philippines
22 Oct 11
I have the copy of the statement of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) regarding its opposition to the passage of the RH Bill. It is all there. You can search in the internet: NEW CBCP PASTORAL LETTER AGAINST RH BILL dated January 30, 2011.
