10/26   Is there a correlation between the state of economy and the
        birth-rate of the population?
        \_ Yes.
        \_ History 161 sez: "Increasing population provides markets that
           allow for mass production without recession, more jobs, blah blah..."
           \_ That's why the Indian and Chinese economies rule the world,
              right?  And Africa!  Don't forget Africa!
              \_ they have a very different kinds of economies.
        \_ There is no linear correlation.  Certainly if the economy is so
           bad that people are starving there will be no population increase.
           On the other hand, if the economy is so good that a large portion
           of the population has a lot of money and leisure time on their hands
           fewer couples opt for child-rearing.  By the way, some experts
           believe the world population is scheduled for a decrease in the
           next century. -- ilyas
           \_ when children become a child-raising/educating liability instead
              of a free farm-labor asset, of course the population growth
              rate is going to decrease.
                \_ Hooray for selfish people! With out us, the world would have
                   even more resource sucking consumers like your soccer mommy
                   in her SUV who add absolutely no value to the planet or the
                   human gene pool.