A Concise History of World Population

Since its original publication in 1992, this text has established itself as the standard history of world population. It analyzes the changing patterns of world population growth, including the effects of migration, war, disease, technology and culture. Its core purpose in explaining the links between nature, culture and demography is to encourage humanity's search for ways to prevent future demographic catastrophes brought about by environmental or human agency. Valued for its informative and accessible style as well as its fresh treatment of contemporary theory, it covers issues that are crucial to the future of every species, human and animal. For this fifth edition the author has updated the statistical and bibliographical information and revises his central themes in the light of significant recent scholarship. Areas of note include coverage of the declining birthrates of developing countries in Asia and Latin America, as well as updated sections on the demographic impact of HIV-AIDS and international migration. There is also fuller discussion of the effects of environmental and climate change on population trends.