Re: People are having fewer babies: Is it really the end of the world?

The journal Nature recently featured a news feature about declining birthrates. We responded with a letter to the editor, which wasn’t published, so we are featuring it here.

We encourage all our members and supporters to make their voices heard! See our media guide for advice on how to do that.

Re: People are having fewer babies: Is it really the end of the world? (August 19, 2025)

It’s disappointing that a news feature about low fertility in a leading scientific journal only passingly mentions that there are potential benefits of gradual population decline.

Lynne Peeples wrote a whole article about the economic downsides of lower birthrates, and only fleetingly alluded to the environmental consequences and development challenges of continued population growth. Surely the tremendous advantages of a smaller population deserve some elaboration and attention?

We simply cannot solve our environmental crises, from climate change to catastrophic biodiversity loss to depletion of vital resources, with a continuously growing population. The IPCC, for example, notes that “Globally, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and population growth remained the strongest drivers of CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the last decade.” In low-income settings, human population growth is often the primary driver of nature loss.

And yes, as Ms. Peeples briefly noted, smaller families allow for greater investment per child. This brings significant benefits to entire communities and accelerates sustainable development. Reduced population pressure also means less strain on public services and infrastructure, a lower likelihood of violent conflict, and fewer people exposed to natural disasters. The primary driver behind declining birthrates deserves elaboration and praise too: women are gaining more choices over their bodies and lives.

Please consider publishing an article exploring the many upsides of declining fertility.

Sincerely,

Olivia Nater
Communications Manager
Population Connection