The Urban Land Institute has published (in June 2009) Global Demographics 2009. The book is authored by M. Leanne Lachman, president, Lachman Associates, LLC in New York City and Deborah L. Brett of Deborah L. Brett & Associates in Plainsboro, N.J. It is the second in an annual series that explores how demographic trends are affecting real estate investment and development decisions worldwide. This edition of the report, which will be published annually, discusses trends in the United States and the rest of the Americas; and it places a special emphasis on Europe and Africa (including the Middle East). Trends in Asia and Oceania are also covered.
Some highlights from Global Demographics 2009:
- Between 2009 and 2050, the greatest population increases worldwide will occur in China, India and the U.S.; while Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South Asia will be the globe’s fastest growing regions.
- Europe is the one region of the world that will experience population declines between now and 2030•
- Mature but still growing economies (the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand) will offer attractive real estate investment and development prospects once the recession subsides.
- The developed world’s large workforce is aging rapidly, while the young labor pools in the Middle East, Africa and South Africa are expanding.
- Fertility rates have dropped globally, even in developing countries. As national economies improve and household incomes rise, fertility drops, children receive more education, and they find better jobs than their parents.
- Many developing nations are emerging consumer markets, with expanding numbers of moderate- and middle-income households generating enthusiastic consumer demand.
- Population growth is highest in the poorest countries (Yemen, Bangladesh, Haiti, Liberia, and Afghanistan) and they have the most difficulty reversing a cycle of abject poverty.
- In developing countries, the number of elderly is rising because of longevity gains, but their share of the total population is reduced by very large younger cohorts.
Global Demographics 2009 (978-0-87420-123-9; Urban Land Institute, 2009) is available everywhere books are sold and through the Urban Land Institute at www.uli.org or by calling 1-800-321-5011. The price is $39.95 for ULI members and $59.95 for non-members.
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