Historical Estimates of World Population: An Evaluation

A demographic history and an evaluation of long-term historical estimates of population worldwide and within smaller regional sectors are presented. Demographic historical literature is reviewed and means for judging the reliability and assumptions of the data on which population projections and statements were made are described. Historical estimates are either benchmark or projected estimates. Most countries have recent Grade A census data. The length of time such data have been available for each country is discussed. The population estimate literature on each region of the world since the time of Christ is assessed with particular attention being given to China the Roman Empire and India-Pakistan-Bangladesh. The growth of world total population is discussed and charted. It is remarkable that population trends in China and Europe since the beginning of the Christian Era parallel each other. Population trends and data for the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries need further attention.