Some environmental doomsayers maintain, based on population density, that the earth is running out of space. However, population density varies widely. Much of the world's land surface is empty, and many countries with dense populations have a higher standard of living than less crowded countries.

• In 1992, the population of Hong Kong City was approximately 247,501 per square mile, while in New York City it was 11,480 per square mile and in Houston 7,512.

• If the entire population of the world were put into the land area of Texas, each person would have an area equal to the floor space of a typical U.S. home and the population density of Texas would be about the same as that of Paris, France.

• In 1988, China had a population of 409 people per square mile and gross domestic product per capita of $320, while Hong Kong, with a population density more than 450 times greater, had a per capita GDP of $8,260.

One reason people are crowded together in cities is that it makes possible many more exchanges and greater specialization of labor. This is why urban areas tend to be wealthier than rural areas.

However, there is an emerging trend that seems to indicate the world population will begin to level off and then fall.

• The annual population growth rate appears to have peaked around 1970, at 2.09 percent.

• By 1980, the rate was down to 1.73 percent and by 1990 to 1.7 percent.

• By 1995, the annual increase had slowed even more to 1.5 percent.

As countries develop economically, birth rates decline. Ironically, the pressure groups most concerned about overpopulation are promoting policies that discourage economic growth.

Source: Jim Peron, "Exploding Population Myths," Fraser Forum, October 1995, Fraser Institute, 2nd Floor, 626 Bute Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3M1, (604) 688-0221.

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