Absent Quote by Thomas Malthus
“The doctrine of population has been conspicuously absent, not because I doubt in the least its truth and vast importance, but because it forms no part of the direct problem of economics.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An Essay on the Principle of Population, 1798
Malthus acknowledges population theory’s truth and relevance but notes it’s excluded from mainstream economics discussions.
In simple terms: Population ideas are true but ignored in economics.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and integrate population impacts in economic analysis.
Themes
economics
population
theory
policy
history
Mood
analytical
critical
thoughtful
Type
theoretical
historical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- public policy
- environmental planning
- education curricula
- research funding
Key Concepts
Malthusian limits
resource scarcity
demographic transition
Questions to Reflect On
- How would economic forecasts change if population trends were central?
- What barriers keep population theory out of mainstream economics?
A Different Perspective
Economic models often omit demographic dynamics, limiting predictive power.
![“[P]opulation, when unchecked, goes on doubling itself every twenty-five years, or increases in a geometrical ratio. ... [T]he means of subsistence, under circumstances the most favorable to human industry, could not possibly be made to increase faster than in an arithmetical ratio.” quote by Thomas Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16b/thomas-malthus-7621_circumstances_p-opulation-when-unchecked-goes-on-doubl_324443.jpg)
