Robert Malthus

Robert Malthus was an English economist and demographer best known for his theory on population growth. In the late 18th century, he proposed that populations grow exponentially while food supply increases arithmetically. This imbalance, he argued, would eventually lead to resource shortages, famine, and social unrest. Malthus believed that population growth could be checked by factors such as disease, famine, and war, which he termed "checks." His ideas sparked debates on population dynamics and sustainability, making him a significant figure in discussions about resources and human development.