logo
episode-header-image
Jul 1
9m 6s

We're nearing 'peak population.' These e...

NPR
About this episode
Over the past century, the world's human population has exploded from around 2 billion to 8 billion. Meanwhile, the average fertility rate has gradually declined. And if that trend continues as it has, we may soon see a crash in the population rate, which some argue could have disastrous effects.

Today on the show, we talk to co-authors Michael Geruso and Dean Spears about their forthcoming book After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People. Together, they explain why you should care about declining fertility rates.

Related episodes:
Babies v climate change; AI v IP; bonds v world

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Today
Can you afford to evacuate ahead of a disaster?
We are just at the start of hurricane season, and we're already seeing the danger and tragedy brought on by storms. There's another cost that gets much less attention, but it's a gamble everyone in the path of a storm has to make.Today on the show, we examine the decision on whet ... Show More
9 m
Yesterday
Will the tax cuts pay for themselves?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now law. It's expected to cost the government a pretty penny. The Congressional Budget Office predicts a $3.4 trillion increase in the deficit over ten years. This is driven by significant tax cuts, including extensions of those made in 2017. Tru ... Show More
8m 14s
Jul 7
Why can't we insure trees?
In the U.S., we insure most everything we sell. So why not trees? Today on the show why trees aren't insured like other crops, and what it would take to get that insurance with extreme weather events on the rise. Related episodes: When insurers can't get insurance (Apple / Spotif ... Show More
9m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
The population clock
There are, its estimated, 8.2 billion people on the planet. The UN projects that the world's population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100. We won’t reach that, says Steve Keen. Even if we ignore climate change, we’ll exceed our capacity to support the popula ... Show More
39m 51s
Nov 2024
Social infertility: What's behind falling birth rates?
The proportion of people without children is growing around the world. For some, this new reality reflects changing social attitudes and a desire not to have children, but for others, the decision has been taken out of their hands by a range of factors. The latest statistics avai ... Show More
26m 7s
Mar 2024
Birthrates Are Plummeting Worldwide. Why?
For a long time, the story about the world’s population was that it was growing too quickly. There were going to be too many humans, not enough resources, and that spelled disaster. But now the script has flipped. Fertility rates have declined dramatically, from about five childr ... Show More
1 h
Mar 2025
Population Collapse is a Massive Problem - Dr Paul Morland
Dr Paul Morland is an author and broadcaster who writes and speaks about population and the big demographic trends across the world, both contemporary and historic. | SPONSOR. We use Ground News to escape the echo chamber and stay fully informed. Go to https://ground.news/trigger ... Show More
1h 21m
Jun 2024
Is the world prepared for population decline?
China’s recent population decline underscores a long-term challenge more countries will face. Capital Group economist Jared Franz shares his views on how population decline will impact the global economy and how artificial intelligence could help fill the gaps. #CapGroupGlobal   ... Show More
23m 12s
May 16
BCG’s Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak on Global Macro: Recession Risk, Tariffs, Debt Dynamics | #582
Today’s guest is Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Global Chief Economist at BCG and author Shocks, Crises, and False Alarms: How to Assess True Macroeconomic Risk. In today’s episode, Philipp starts by sharing his framework to assess macroeconomic risk, emphasizing the importance of ada ... Show More
46m 35s
Nov 2024
Disinflation, demographics, Doge
Opinions are cheap so we’re making it up in volume, with three takes on the future of the economy. Today on the show, the entire staff of the Unhedged newsletter – Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter – gather to discuss looming inflation, the next 25 years of returns from the stock ma ... Show More
20m 24s
Dec 2024
The Global Fertility Crisis - Paul Morland | Maiden Mother Matriarch 115
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.louiseperry.co.uk My guest today is Paul Morland, Associate Research Fellow at Birkbeck, University of London and the author of ‘The Human Tide,’ ’Tomorrow’s People,’ and most recently ‘No One Left.’ We spoke about ... Show More
1h 1m
Dec 2023
Immigration Fueled Housing Shortage
On today’s show we are talking about the law of supply and demand. This is one of those principles that I treat with the same reverence as a law of physics. It’s a little like gravity. If you try to fight gravity, you’re probably going to come out on the losing end of that battle ... Show More
5m 32s
Sep 2024
Why Are Millionaires Moving Abroad? + The Biggest Deals in Podcasting
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing the UK’s investigation into Microsoft’s Inflection acquihire, as well as Nippon Steel’s potential acquisition of US Steel and Andreesen Horowitz’s decision to close its Miami office. Then Scott shares his thoughts on why millionaires are f ... Show More
56m 54s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami