Research
The Gifford Center fosters interdisciplinary research on many aspects of population growth and distribution, including:
- How to feed the two billion more people expected to be added to the world’s population by 2050
- How to manage migration from one country to another and within countries
- How to educate and empower women and influence population growth and distribution
The population of today’s rich countries peaked at about a billion in 2000 and, absent another baby boom, population growth in the world’s 30 rich countries will depend largely on immigration. Population growth is concentrated in the world’s developing countries (excepting Brazil, China and a few others), where fertility has been declining much faster than in today’s rich countries. The major challenge is Africa, where fertility in many countries averages five or more, raising questions about food and environmental security as well as migration.
The Gifford Center is part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, which conducts research and teaching on many aspects of the food system and the environment.