Florida in the Twenty-First Century The Challenge of Population Growth

FLORIDA IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE CHALLENGE OF POPULATION GROWTH, by demographer Leon Bouvier & sociologist Bob Weller, examines the challenges Floridians face in maintaining their quality of life & remaining economically competitive in the face of rapid population growth. The authors' "medium scenario" population projection warns that Florida's population will more than double in the next 60 years, from 13 million in 1990 to 32 million in 2050. This staggering growth is being driven by migration, mainly from other U.S. states but also from abroad, & rising fertility levels. This population growth will have an enormous impact on every major state policy area, including the economy, education, health care, the environment, infrastructure & social harmony, according to the authors. Competition for scarce resources will continue & worsen as the needs of Florida's large elderly population clash with those of the younger population. Will adequate resources be available for educating & providing job skills to an additional 19 million people? How can the state's fragile environment be protected & its quality of life maintained? FLORIDA IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE CHALLENGE OF POPULATION GROWTH is available from the Center for Immigration Studies, 1815 H Street, N.W., Suite 1010, Washington, D.C. 20006; (202) 466-8185.Bouvier, Leon F. is the author of 'Florida in the Twenty-First Century The Challenge of Population Growth' with ISBN 9781881290216 and ISBN 1881290212.