Why has the human population increased so much in the last few centuries, although we actually invented effective birth control methods?

Question

Why has the human population increased so much in the last few centuries, although we actually invented effective birth control methods?

In: 211

Answer 1

Population growth is probably due more to the fact we’re living longer the world over. No idea on the stats but I believe birth rates are falling in first and third world countries (??).

But at the same time life expectancy has increased dramatically across the world, so where the average life expectancy in 1900s was say 50 (again pulling numbers out of my arse, just trying to show an ELI5 example), now it’s ~70-80 — which means populations will increase even if birth rates are falling.