Question

the current human population is increasing at a rate of 1.5% per year. calculate how long it will take the worlds population to double at the current rate of increase. if the world population is 7.7 billion people in 2019, how many people will be on earth in 2020? countries like china have, in the past, implemented a limit to the number of children a couple can have. describe one benefit and one disadvantage that this one - child policy can have. some countries want their population growth rates to increase, as they have been on the decline in recent years. describe two methods a federal government could use to increase its population growth rates.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate doubling time (Rule of 70)

The Rule of 70 approximates doubling time: $\text{Doubling Time} = \frac{70}{\text{Growth Rate}}$
$\text{Doubling Time} = \frac{70}{1.5} \approx 46.67$ years

Step2: Calculate 2020 population

Find 1.5% of 7.7 billion, add to 2019 population:
$7.7 + (7.7 \times 0.015) = 7.7 + 0.1155 = 7.8155$ billion

• One benefit of the one-child policy: Reduced strain on limited national resources (like food, water, and housing) by slowing rapid population growth.
• One disadvantage of the one-child policy: Created an aging population imbalance, leading to a shrinking workforce to support elderly citizens.
• Method 1 to increase population growth: Offer financial incentives (e.g., child tax credits, monthly stipends) to families with children to encourage higher birth rates.
• Method 2 to increase population growth: Implement lenient immigration policies to attract working-age immigrants, directly adding to the population and potentially boosting birth rates among new residents.

Answer:

1. Time to double population: ~46.7 years
2. 2020 world population: 7.8155 billion people
3. One-child policy benefit: Reduced resource strain; One-child policy disadvantage: Aging population/workforce decline
4. Methods to increase growth: Financial incentives for families, lenient immigration policies