The latest edition of this classic text has been updated to reflect current trends and implications for future demographic developments. The areas of Africa, international migration and population and environment have been strengthened and statistical information has been updated throughout.

Since its original publication in 1992, A Concise History of the World Populations has established itself as the standard history of world population. The text analyzes the changing patterns of world population growth, including the effects of migration, war, disease, technology and culture. Its core purpose in explaining the links between nature, culture and demography is to encourage humanity's search for ways to prevent future demographic catastrophes brought about by environmental or human agency. Valued for its informative and accessible style as well as its fresh treatment of contemporary theory, it covers issues that are crucial to the future of every species, human and animal.

This sixth edition, which is now revised to reflect current trends and their implications for future demographic developments, keeps the essence of the book intact, remaining compact and concise. Livi-Bacci has modified the statistical and bibliographical information with the inclusion of the 2015 UN population projections revision and developments in China's population policy. The text has also been updated to strengthen the major subject areas of Africa, international migration and population and the environment, which is quickly gaining importance in terms of its increasing dramatic global impact.