An evolutionary perspective on population growth
Keywords:
evolution, population growth, fertility, traits, siblings, children, correlation, SwedenAbstract
Tis article is a preliminary attempt to evaluate the effect that evolution has on fertility. First, the conditions necessary for an evolutionary effect are discussed, the most important condition being the existence of fertility-enhancing traits (not necessarily genetic) which can be passed from parent to child. Next, two mathem tical models are discussed which give insight into the relation between evolution and fertility. The models yield a crude approximation relating the correlation (r) between number of siblings and number of children born to women in a given population to a subsequent evolution-related rise in fertility in the same population over one generation. The approximation is evaluated using the value of r as determined from a 1981 study sample of Swedish-born women. Finally, the possibilities of long-term fertility predictions and control of population growth are discussed.
