In other words, the potential productive capacity of each person is greater than his capacity to consume . The average American male, by one estimate, produces 13.5 times what he consumes in his lifetime. All else being equal, the greater the number of people, the more each person can specialize in a particular vocation. Each person is unique. One person may be well-suited to be a farmer, another a builder, another a surgeon, and so on.
More people makes for a greater division of labour and greater economic prosperity.
Other reasons why population growth is beneficial include the fact that with more people, more discovery and innovation will take place. All else being equal, the population of the United States will produce far more medical, scientific, and industrial innovations than will the people of tiny Luxembourg. A larger population lends itself to production on a larger scale, and just as it is more efficient to cook dinner for six rather than for one, it is also more efficient to produce a product for millions rather than thousands. The population density of the province would still be less than that of many existing cities. Take a look at British Columbia on a globe.