Consequences of increased longevity for wealth, fertility, and population growth

摘要

We present, solve and numerically simulate a simple model that describes theconsequences of increased longevity on fertility rates, population growth andthe distribution of wealth in developed societies. We look at the consequencesof the repeated use of life extension techniques and show that they represent anovel commodity whose introduction will profoundly influence key aspects ofeconomy and society in general. In particular, we uncover two phases within oursimplified model, labeled as 'mortal' and 'immortal'. Within the life extensionscenario it is possible to have sustainable economic growth in a population ofstable size, as a result of dynamical equilibrium between the two phases.