roximately 285 million people lived in the United States in 2001. This population is expected to increase to 346 million by 2025. Without question, people in the United States average a much better quality of life than people throughout the world. For example, male and female Americans average life expectancies of 74 years and 80 years, respectively. The worldÆs average life expectancies for males and females is 64 and 69 years, respectively. Moreover, Americans enjoy a per capita income of more than $29,000, compared to just over $6,000 worldwide (Demographic Facts of Life).
Third, a pregnant woman in Angola is 150 times more likely to die in childbirth than an American women. In addition, in Angola, 17 percent of babies die in childbirth, and 25 percent do not live past their fifth birthday (United Nations Population Fund Fact Sheet).
Fourth, the world population is projected to reach between 6.9 and 7.4 billion by 2015 (United Nations Population Fund Fact Sheet).
Fifth, more than half of the world population is under age 25 (Population and WomenÆs Empowerment).
Should Rich Countries Help Poor Countries?
There are several reasons why richer countries should help poorer countries. First, richer countries will always need trading partners to sustain their economies. By helping poorer countries, richer countries can ensure continued markets for their products. Second, poor economic conditions often lead to increased crime and civil unrest in developing countries. Such national instability can lead to genocide and human rights abuses that richer countries will often be called upon to put down. Ensuring poor economic conditions do not fester could prevent richer countries from having to sacrifice the livesÆ of their own military. Third, helping poorer countries allows richer countries to form social and diplomatic relations on which the richer country can rely when it might need help itself.
There are als...