Demographers Highlight Concerns Over Declining Birth Rates and Population Impact
In the book 'After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People,' demographers Dean Spears and Michael Geruso discuss the implications of declining birth rates globally and in the United States. They argue that concerns about falling birth rates should not be limited to conservative viewpoints but should also be a concern for those with liberal and progressive ideologies. The book highlights that the total fertility rate (TFR) necessary for population replacement is 2.1, but many countries, including the U.S., are experiencing rates below this threshold. The authors challenge the notion that the high cost of childbearing is the primary reason for declining fertility, suggesting instead that opportunity costs, such as career and leisure opportunities, play a significant role. They also address the potential social, economic, and political consequences of a declining population, arguing that fewer people could lead to reduced production, consumption, and creation. 
