Population in the twenty-first century: The limited horizon of public policy

The changing trends in global population in the 21st century are examined. The fall of the fertility rate and resulting actual decline of population w ill be evident in the major Western countries and Japan by 2005-2015, sprea ding to others thereafter. Difficult economic and noneconomic problems, for example, aging populations, must be confronted. A 2.1 replacement fertilit y rate is the key. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.