World population--accelerator or brake in development?

The aim of this paper is to provide some answers to the question whether the world population can be regarded as an accelerator, or, on the contrary, a brake in development. Our analysis starts from the present reality, namely the fact that the world population has exceeded 7 billion people, which results in an increase of the demand for food, natural resources, energy resources, that is likely to become a threat, but also (possibly) an opportunity for the world's vulnerable regions. We intend to provide answers in accordance with the criterion of unique and irreplaceable optimal - the health of the whole living entity. We strongly believe that this criterion should be set at the basis of the population's evolution from the perspective of a sustainable development for the harmonious future of our planet.