Once a European and Twice an African
Once, all humans were Africans. It looks like that state of affairs may essentially re-establish itself one day!
I counted the first column of the page linked to above, and 22 out of the top 25 fertility rate countries are in Africa. And though I stopped counting, the next 25 is clearly over half African. Nor are differences minor: Everyone in the top 25 sees over 5 births per woman, while only a few European countries are even close to or just above 2 per woman (Ireland, Iceland, Albania, the UK, Sweden). The average for the EU as a whole is just above 1.5.
I knew this discrepancy existed, but I had no idea it was this vast! In 10,000 years, parents will be telling children horror stories about bizarre people in the past who had milk-colored skin with brown spots all over it, and hair the color of straw.
I counted the first column of the page linked to above, and 22 out of the top 25 fertility rate countries are in Africa. And though I stopped counting, the next 25 is clearly over half African. Nor are differences minor: Everyone in the top 25 sees over 5 births per woman, while only a few European countries are even close to or just above 2 per woman (Ireland, Iceland, Albania, the UK, Sweden). The average for the EU as a whole is just above 1.5.
I knew this discrepancy existed, but I had no idea it was this vast! In 10,000 years, parents will be telling children horror stories about bizarre people in the past who had milk-colored skin with brown spots all over it, and hair the color of straw.
You almost seem to take pleasure at the thought, Gene.
ReplyDeleteNah. But nor am I upset: in this world, all things must pass. The whole human race will be gone one day, one way or another.
DeleteSure, all things pass; but the assumption that extinct family lines and races would be the subject of horror stories is striking.
DeleteI never thought that I'd hear you say that, and I agree.
DeleteWell, John, the "other" is always the subject of horror stories.
DeleteNever read Lovecraft, John?
DeleteNever read Lovecraft, John?
DeleteOne thing to consider is that they also have low life expectancy at birth, so the population growth is less explosive than it seems to be.
ReplyDeleteWell, another thing is that "they" -- oy, a telling pronoun! -- emigrant to European countries at a huge rate, where "they" have a much higher life expectancy.
DeleteHmmmmm. Sounds like "If present trends continue ..."
DeleteThe only present trend that ever continues is that present trends don't continue.
What about their death rates? Or life expectancy.
ReplyDeleteThose certainly are higher... in Africa.
Delete