Why Progressives Need to Care About Demographic Collapse (And You Do Too)

In recent years, concern about birthrates and the need for more children has come to be seen as a conservative issue. The left still wants dramatic population reductions. They shouldn't.

NOTE: Daniel Hess’s work on the growing demographic implosion and what to do about it is excellent. Be sure to follow him on X. — RDM

by Daniel Hess
January 7, 2025

In recent years, concern about birthrates and the need for more children has come to be seen as a conservative issue. Most on the left are much less worried about population decline. They point out that even though fertility has fallen, global population continues to rise. Most progressives reason that an end to population growth will give the planet a breather and represents a positive turn toward sustainability.

Shouldn't we celebrate falling birthrates as a victory for women’s rights? In any case, we aren't about to run out of people.

Yet a shrinking and aging world is not what most people think it will be. The places in the world that have depopulated and grown old do not match the progressive vision of fewer, but healthier and more thriving people. They do not fit anyone’s idea of sustainability.

Instead, places losing p…