A lot of 2000’s born are curious to know how many people has died from this planet… This topic has been carefully analysed by Uzoma Michael of Uzomedia TV, Yes that’s me! Glad that you’re reading, let’s ride on below;
Estimating the Total Number of Human Deaths Since the Beginning of Time
Estimating the total number of human deaths since the beginning of time is a daunting task, as it requires considering various factors such as population growth, mortality rates, and historical events. Here’s a comprehensive overview based on data from multiple sources.
Historical Context
- Early Human History (200,000 BCE – 500 CE): During this period, the global population grew from approximately 200,000 to 300 million. Assuming an average life expectancy of 30-40 years, historians estimate around 10-15 billion people lived during this time.
- Middle Ages to Industrial Revolution (500-1800 CE): The population increased to around 1 billion. With an average life expectancy of 35-40 years, approximately 20-25 billion people lived during this period.
Modern Era (1800-2020 CE)
- Population Growth: The global population grew from 1 billion to 7.9 billion.
- Life Expectancy: Average life expectancy increased to 70-80 years.
- Estimated Deaths: Around 50-60 billion people lived during this period.
Total Estimated Deaths
Combining these estimates, historians and demographers approximate that:
- 108 billion people have lived since the beginning of human history (Source: Carl Sauer, 1960)
- 115 billion people have lived (Source: Joel E. Cohen, 1995)
- 120 billion people have lived (Source: United Nations, 2015)
Notable Causes of Death
Throughout history, various factors have contributed to human mortality:
- Wars and Conflicts: Estimated 1-2 billion deaths
- Pandemics: Estimated 1-3 billion deaths (e.g., Black Death, Spanish Flu)
- Famines: Estimated 100 million-1 billion deaths
- Diseases: Estimated 10-20 billion deaths (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis)
Conclusion
Estimating the total number of human deaths since the beginning of time is complex and influenced by various historical factors. While estimates vary, it is clear that over 100 billion people have lived and died throughout human history.
Sources:
- Carl Sauer, “The Dimensions of Human Populations” (1960)
- Joel E. Cohen, “How Many People Can the Earth Support?” (1995)
- United Nations, “World Population Prospects” (2015)
- BBC, “How many people have ever lived on Earth?”
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