If Infrastructure Follows Population Growth, More Will Be Needed

The Economist Magazine has a fascinating daily Chart today showing predicted shifts in world population from 1950 to 2050.

This data is based on the UN World Population Prospects.

Generally, in the infrastructure management field, new infrastructure investment follows population growth, coupled with economic growth.

Based on this straightforward observation, much of the building of infrastructure over the next 40 years is likely to occur in the top 12 most populous countries as identified in the UN Report – India, China, Nigeria, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Philippines, Mexico, Congo.

Many of these countries would not be top of mind when considering such growth – and this list demonstrates the continued rapid shifts in world population away from Europe.

Infrastructure procurement, construction, and sustainable infrastructure management will be ongoing issues for all these countries over the next 40 years.