World Overpopulation Research with the 2010 Census

The Daily Record tells us that despite the slowest decade (2000 - 2010) of population growth in the United States since the Great Depression, we still have the fastest-growing population of any industrialized nation.

The Unitied States population count is the world's 3rd most populous number in all of 2010, 2007, and 2005. However, the US population is aging and its birth rate declining, leading to an aging population on average. In fact, Baby Boomers are turing 65 in 2011 and heavily draining the Social Security system.

Still, this is not as acute a slow-down as in Japan, where young women in the late 1980s rebelled against marriage and childbearing in order to choose careers. This was big news globally, even in martial arts magazines I read. The trend has continued to 2010. Japan is becoming a nation of senior citizens more quickly than is the USA. [See reference links below.] In the same five-year time span 2005-10, Japan lost half a million people in deaths, moves to other nations, and a declining birth rate (see tables below).

One of the most striking changes in global populations from 2005 to 2010 is the decline in numbers within The Russian Federation, to the tune of 4,600,000 people lost.

In the late 200s and early 2010s, increasing numbers of scientists counseled in the media that mankind needed to move off planet to Mars in order to prevent mass deaths due to lack of Earth resources and the ultimate extinction of humans. This pleased the Mars Society that has been doing tireless work toward this end for some time, private space flight companies and related manufacturers, and perhaps President Barack Obama when he spoke about aiming for Mars and eliminating Lunar colonization plans during the early part of his 2009 - 2012 Presidential term.

The fact that potential lay in mining the asteroid field between Earth and Mars for mineral resources could create jobs for additional people. Senior Citizens were spoken of as potential recruits to travel permanently to Mars in order to found the first settlements. This would provide them with useful work, excitement, and a place to off load themselves as part of an increasing and aging Earth population that was draining the national economy. Whether Martian Colonization is practical from a human health standpoint will be determined in future, likely from 2011 - 2020.

Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee in the Capital of California reminds us of population growth in the state from 22 Million in 1975 to approximately 40 Million (government opinions and counts differ, because of inclusion and exclusion of undocumented residents) in 2010 - about double in 35 years. He tells us that after WWII, not only did the Baby Boom hit California, but other people moved in from other states to seek their respective fortunes. I think that immigration from Asia and the Pacific Islands added to California's population significantly as well.

It appears that Governor Jerry Brown (1975 - 1983) limited improvements in infrastructure during his terms. Then a mini baby boom and a wave of foreign immigration hit California, requiring more and better infrastructure. Governor again 2011 - 2014, perhaps to 2018; what will he do about infrastructure? Or about Education, Public Assistance, or Senior Services? What does the next governor do? California has the largest US population, but also a larger share of related problems.

Mr. Walters has examined the figures and reports that state population growth has slowed markedly from the 1980s to about 1% percent a year currently, which still means 400,000 people a year. California has one of America's highest Birth Rates at

500,000 babies a year, twice the Death Rate. The babies are largely of color, while the aging population is primarily Caucasian. The over-65 population is to increase by 50+% by 2020, while the babies are still born one a minute.

[Reference: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/09/3310408/dan-walters-population-changes.html]

1. China 1,330,141,295
2. India 1,173,108,0183
3. USA 310,232,8634
4. Indonesia 242,968,3425
5. Brazil 201,103,3306
6. Pakistan 177,276,5947
7. Bangladesh 158,065,8418
8. Nigeria 152,217,3419
9. Russia 139,390,205 (Negative growth, loss of 4.6 Million people)
10. Japan 126,804,433 (Negative growth of about 1/2 Million)

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Reference: http://www.infoplease.com/world/statistics/most-populous-countries.html#ixzz1ANqe8eGz

Althought the population of Earth is forecasted to reach 7 Billion in 2011, some nations are losing population, including two in the Top 10: The Russian Federation and Japan.  

The CIA World Factbook online lists the Russian Federation as the 9th most populous global country with an estimate in July 2010 of a population numbering 139,390,205.

MEDIAN AGES

Within the federation the median ages are interesting, all differing enough to be significant from one another:

• ALL: 38.5 years ; life expectancy 66.1
• Males: 35.3 years; life expectancy 59.5
• Females: 41.7 years; life expectancy 73.2 (much higher than for males)

Population Growth

The population Growth Rate is negative at nearly -0.05% and the Birth Rate is low at only 176th among world nations, at 11.11 per 1,000 people. the Death Rate is much higher at 16.04 per 1,000. For every 2 babies born, about 3 people die.

EDUCATION

Even more interesting is education achieved, males averaging 14 years of schooling and women, 15 years of education.

The table below represents the individuals that take the Worldwide Achievement Tests (age 15) and older persons.

College graduates and postgraduate completers have increased dramatically from 1989 to 2002, indicating an increased number of Professional Workers. Primary education has risen, probably in rural areas that have heretofore lacked adequqte schools, and education numbers have risen - dramatically - among Secondary Vocational completions, a number that indicates an increase in certified worker in skilled trades.

Although the nation has lost 4,600,000 people, those remaining are better educated overall, therefore logically more productive to the economy.

The next official census will occur in 2013.

The CIA World Factbook reports that Japan experienced an economic slow-down beginning approximately 1990 and continuing to 2011 and ongoing. In the mid-1980s, news of cultural change in Japan arrived in American newspapers and magazines, even martial arts periodicals. Japanese women in their 20s ans 30s were beginning to reject the notions of motherhood and marriage in favor of long-term careers. This trend has extended into the 2010s, resulting in a decreased Birth Rate and increased aging of the overall population (See "Causes of Divorce" in the links near the top of this page). In 2010, Japan took the Number 10 spot in the Top 10 Most Populous Countries and may fall of the list in the next census period.

Median Ages in Japan

• ALL: 44.6, expected to live to 82.2 years (5th highest life expectancy in the world).
• Males: 42.9, expected to live to 78.9 years.
• Females: 46.5, expected to live to 85.7 years.

Population Growth

The Japanese Birth Rate is 7.4 births per 1000 people, only 223rd highest of all countries in the world. At the same time, the higher Death Rate is 9.83 per 1000 individuals, the 61st highest in the world. This means that for every baby born, 2.4 people die, resulting in a decreasing population or negative Growth Rate of - 0.24% or about a quarter of a percent yearly. Therefore, Japan is declining half as fast as Russia is reducing in population.

EDUCATION

Most of Japan's population attends 15 years of schooling, expected per cultural norms. Japanese 15-year-olds schore well on the yearly global achievement tests mentioned above.