Hans Rosling helps us understand population growth

Considering Saturday’s discussions Beneath the Wisteria about population, this Ted Talk by Hans Rosling: “Religions and babies”, seems remarkably relevant.

Supporter, Brad Cole, alerted us to the Rosling presentation.

Hans Rosling.

Rosling asks: “Do some religions have a higher birth rate than others -- and how does this affect global population growth?”

Speaking at the TEDxSummit in Doha, Qatar, he graphs data over time and across religions. With his trademark humor and sharp insight, Hans reaches a surprising conclusion on world fertility rates.

In Hans Rosling’s hands, data sings. Global trends in health and economics come to vivid life. And the big picture of global development—with some surprisingly good news—snaps into sharp focus.

He concludes: “The number of children [per family] is not growing any longer in the world. We are still debating peak oil, but we have definitely reached peak child.”