Low Birthrates Will Devastate the Global Economy If Not Reversed

With aging and declining or even collapsing populations, we lose specialization and economies of scale. Eventually innovation grinds to a halt.

NOTE: I have been warning of the impending demographic implosion for more than 30 years, one of the very few voices to stand against the consensus overpopulation hysteria. Daniel Hess’s work on this — what’s happening, why, and what to do about it — is outstanding. — RDM

by Daniel Hess
January 27, 2025

Birthrates are now below ‘replacement’ (2.1 births per woman) in most countries in the world. But the economic hit will be especially severe because low birthrate countries account for *90%* of global GDP.

How bad are the numbers? Most countries aren’t near the replacement level, but far below it. Countries at only around ½ of replacement include Japan, China, Korea, Canada, Spain, Poland, and Chile.

The scariest thing? Fertility keeps plunging lower every year.