Sustainable welfare and optimum population size

Theodore P. Lianos () and Anastasia Pseiridis
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Theodore P. Lianos: Athens University of Economics and Business

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2016, vol. 18, issue 6, No 9, 1679-1699

Abstract: Abstract This paper is an attempt to estimate the level of sustainable welfare, namely a level of consumption that can be enjoyed by all future generations. Based on available measures of the ecological footprint and biocapacity and assuming an acceptable level of per capita consumption, we estimate the maximum level of world population, which will allow that level of consumption without damaging the natural productive capacity of the earth. Also based on a criterion of the ability of each country to feed its people, we estimate the maximum size of population for the fifty most populated countries. It turns out that a few countries are underpopulated (Argentina, Canada, Russia, etc.), but most are overpopulated (China, India, Japan, etc.). We conclude by emphasizing the need for an ecumenical effort to educate and inform people about the need to reduce world population.

Keywords: Population; Sustainable welfare; Ecological footprint; Biocapacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-015-9711-5

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