Conclusion

     After analyzing  population  pyramids  from representative countries of 
the first, second, and third worlds, it was easy to conclude where the focus 
of curbing global population should be.  First world countries,  in general, 
all had age  structures  that  indicated  little to  no growth, or  negative 
growth.  Therefore,  the  populations  in these countries  are  projected to 
either remain stable or shrink.  Second world countries, in general, all had 
age  structures  with  baby  booms that indicated  little  to no growth,  or 
negative growth. Therefore, the populations in these countries are projected 
to  either remain  stable or to shrink.  Third world countries, however, all 
had age structures  that  indicated  high  levels of growth.  Therefore, the 
populations in these countries are projected to increase significantly.      
     It is the third  world  where we must  focus  our greatest  efforts  to 
control  global  population growth.  It is,  after all,  in  these countries 
that the  population is  expected to skyrocket over the course of  the  next 
50 years.  The  seriousness of the population  problem on our planet must be 
realized  or there will be  devastating  consequences.   If  humans  surpass 
Earth's carrying capacity - which some scientists claim that we already have 
- there is a  high probability  that what  will result is an  "overshoot and 
collapse,"   in   which  the  environment  collapses  and  resources  become 
exceedingly  scarce, followed  by  a  demographic  catastrophe  (Livi-Bacci, 
2007).  The  best-case scenario is that we,  as a species,  deal  with  this 
possibility  now and  make every  attempt to control the  rate at  which our 
population  is growing.  In doing  so,  we  will  help  to ensure  that  our 
existence on this planet is sustainable.