Three hundred million and one!
Greg Mankiw writes:
The U.S. population is about to reach 300 million. Am I concerned about overpopulation? No, I am not.
Update: Richard Posner is more concerned. Gary Becker is not.
Neither am I. Read why in my previous posts here and here.
Business Week's Michael Mandel asks "Is 300 million people a good thing?":
But here are a couple of questions for you to ponder as the U.S. gets closer to the big 300: Is it coincidence that the three countries with the largest populations also have the most dynamic economies in the world? And is it coincidence that the most innovative major industrialized country, the U.S., also has the fastest growing population and the most young people?
He thinks it's no coincidence. Read the whole thing! (Also see the accompanying history of our nation's growth.)
(click image for larger view)
This graph from USA today makes me smile. (Visit the website to see it with interactive animation.) According to this, the US has tripled in size since my Aunt Ruth was born in 1915. There is also have a great interactive map that shows historical population growth rates by state.
From MSNBC, here is a list of the countries expected to gain and lose the most population by 2050:
I for one am looking forward to a world with more people. There are very few countries in existence today that were better off when they had only half their current population. By all conceivable pieces of evidence, more people will lead to more prosperity and a better world.
I can't wait to meet all the newcomers!
P.S. -- More thoughts from Macroblog.
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