[iwontreddit]

> My own theory: Internet access has helped too, by disseminating knowledge about health & disease.

Considering internet usage is fairly recent, I don't think the internet is the reason.

Your assertion about developing nations become wealthy nations probably has more to do with it.

Also, I'm not sure I agree that it is great news. It just means that the human population is going to continue to expand. We need more people to die. Not more people to live.

If 7+ billion people want to live like westerners, there really is no hope.