Demands of Expanding Populations and Development Planning

Population: Answering the Needs and Demands The world's human populationis 6. 6+ billion people and growing(by 80 million in 2005). Most of the growth is in less developed nations. The Population Reference Bureau (2006) estimates that the global population will reach 7. 9 billion people by 2025. It is projected to stabilize at 9. 2+ billion people by 2050. Governmentsstrive to attract industrial, manufacturing, services, and other projects to advance their economiesandthuscopewithexistingsocial andpoliticalproblemsand futurech- lenges heightened by expanding populations. They are encouraged in these efforts by international lending and development organizations such as the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. These and other multilateral, regional and sub-regional development banks make funds available for economic and social improvement programs in developing countries (Table p. 1). Well-planned projects can stimulate economic growth and create wealth in a society. This wealth can be used to promote the health, education, and general welfare status of its members, and their employment opportunities even as populations expand. There are many theories that de ne and expound on economic development. Malizia and Feser (1999) summarize the theories in terms of their essential - namics, strengths and weaknesses, and how they are applied to achieve growth. All theories agree that economic advancement is based on investing capital in projects that can ourish and yield nancial gain over extended periods of time.

FREDERIC R. SIEGEL is Professor Emeritus of Geochemistry at the George Washington University. His books Applied Geochemistry (1974), Geoquimica Aplicada (1992), Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards in Development Planning (1996), and Environmental Geochemistry of Potentially Toxic Metals (2001) reflect Dr. Siegel's cumulative teaching and research experiences. These are in general, marine, exploration, and environmental geochemistry in several countries, and in practices that alleviate or eliminate environmental problems related to physical, social, chemical, and economic conditions where development projects are being planned.