The Role of Population in Economic Growth

The Role of Population in Economic Growth

The relationship between population growth and economic growth is controversial. This article draws on historical data to chart the links between population growth, growth in per capita output, and overall economic growth over the past 200 years. Low population growth in high-income countries is lik...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:SAGE open Vol. 7; no. 4
Main Author: Peterson, E. Wesley F.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-10-2017
SAGE Publishing
Subjects:
migration
productivity
economic inequality
economic growth
population growth
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The relationship between population growth and economic growth is controversial. This article draws on historical data to chart the links between population growth, growth in per capita output, and overall economic growth over the past 200 years. Low population growth in high-income countries is likely to create social and economic problems while high population growth in low-income countries may slow their development. International migration could help to adjust these imbalances but is opposed by many. Drawing on economic analyses of inequality, it appears that lower population growth and limited migration may contribute to increased national and global economic inequality.
ISSN:2158-2440
2158-2440
DOI:10.1177/2158244017736094