How do demographic dynamics change over time? How are they affected by climate change, natural disasters, epidemics, wars, migratory flows, economic growth, technology, and culture? The disappearance of entire peoples throughout history shows that there is no automatic adjustment mechanism between resource levels and population size. In tracing the history of the world population from the Neolithic to the present day, the author illustrates the consequences of accelerated demographic development on the internal social stability of countries, power relations between nations, and the environment. This classic book’s new, sixth edition contains novel insights and many updates, helping readers understand the direction and effects of the remarkable changes currently underway. Since the turn of the millennium, birth control has spread rapidly, life expectancy has increased, mobility has been driven upwards, the world population has grown by a third, and we are all more aware of our planet’s limits.

Massimo Livi Bacci is professor emeritus at the University of Florence and a member of the Italian Accademia dei Lincei.