Leveling Up took 5-6times longer with the old developing team.
One of the first things that happened with the new team was to double the EXP you got.

Also you are forgetting that we got rid of surplus. Even with surplus people could easily get to Rank 50 within few week.
That can't be the ideal.

It's really astonishing to see how much people tend to whine, if they get something taken away from them.
Even if it makes perfect sense.