From 10 million to 350 million people in 200 years

In the 1820s the population of the US passed 10 million. The 100 million people mark was reached in the 1910s, and 250 million in the early 1990s. By 2030, 350 million people are expected to live in the US and by 2100, around 434 million. 

Basic demographics of the US population

The US has a fertility rate of 1.9 children per woman, the median age is 38.1 years, and the life expectancy is 78.9 years - 76.5 for men and 81.3 for women.

The US is a highly urbanised country

250 million people live in US cities or urban areas meaning that more than three in four Americans live on just three percent of the country’s land area. The most populous US cities are New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The most populous states are California, Texas, Florida and New York.

The largest economy in the world - for a few more years

With a GDP of $21.3 trillion, the US is the largest economy in the world. But not for much longer. Somewhere between 2025 and 2030, China will overtake the US to become the world’s largest economy. By 2050, India is expected to have almost caught up with the US as well.

Top of the consumer society

The US is by far the largest consumer market in the world making up almost 29 pct. of the global consumer economy with $14 trillion in consumer spending a year (2018).

Being the largest consumer economy is not without consequences

The US generates more waste than any other country in the world. Each american produces up to 3.2 kg (7.1 pounds) of waste per day or almost 1200 kg per year. Electronic waste (e-waste) is a growing problem in the US. Every year, over 3 million tons of e-waste is dumped on landfills and only 25 pct. is recycled.

Ground and air pollution

A study found that 90 pct. of groundwater samples from the US has pesticide residues in them. Up to 14 million fish and 67 million birds are killed by pesticides each year in the US. Almost 200 million Americans live in areas with high levels of air pollution. The good news is that in recent years air quality has significantly improved in many cities across the US. It can be done!

Energy use and global warming

In terms of energy use, the US is second in the world after China. About 86% of energy in the US comes from the burning of fossil fuel and the country is also the world’s second largest emitter of CO2. If all CO2 emissions since the industrial revolution around 1850 are added up, the US is at the top being responsible for 29 pct. of the world’s total emissions. The good news is that the use of renewable energy is going up - though slowly. Currently, green energy accounts for around 13 pct. of total energy use in the US.

Wait a minute..?

So the US is the “leading” consumer economy and topping the list of greenhouse gas emitters. BUT the US. is also one of just two developed countries that has not committed to the Kyoto Protocol. The other country is Canada who withdrew from the protocol in 1998. The Kyoto Protocol has the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating global warming.

The ecological footprint of the US population

Ecological footprint is a measure to illustrate the “quantity” of nature it takes to support human consumption. The US population has one of the highest ecological footprints in the world. If everyone were to live and consume like the average US consumer, we would need almost 5 planets to support us and absorb our waste. Earth Overshoot Day would arrive on 15 March meaning that in a calendar year from this day on and for the rest of the year, we would be living beyond the capacity of the Earth’s ecosystems.