This is one of the best presentations of data I have ever seen. It may be the shortest 20 minute talk you will ever listen to.

On one level, I am highly impressed by the elegant presentation of the data.

On a second level, I am fascinated by what the data shows – our conceptions of the world are rooted in data that is now 50 years old. In many ways the “developing third world” has caught up to the western world – at least in small family size and high incomes.

On a third level, there are still inequalities in health, especially infant mortality.

Unexamined in this presentation are the implications for nations whose fertility has fallen below replacement levels. In those nations, population will decline and there will be severe economic difficulties in funding pensions and healthcare for the elderly.

Still, watch the talk. One of the best from TED: