variavel0=<b>Rubenildo Andrade Andrade</b> - ruben@iem.efei.br Escola Federal de Engenharia de Itajubá
<b>Electo Eduardo Silva Lora</b> - electo@iem.efei.br Escola Federal de Engenharia de Itajubá
<b>Francisco A. Dupas</b> - dupas@iem.efei.br Escola Federal de Engenharia de Itajubá
<b>Abstract.</b> This paper presents a global analyzis of the existing relationship between natural resources consumption and the level of economical development. Population growth acts like a pressure factor on the use of natural resources, and at the same time has an evident influence on development indexes. As a result a sustainability potential was detected, characterized by reduction possibilities in water and energy consumption, that does not affect the economic development. The Human Development Index (HDI) is used as the development level indicator for different countries.
<b>Keywords.</b> Human development index, Demography, Water resource, pollution, maintainable.