BLUF

Learn more about something rarely discussed publicly—depopulation

Summary

Much has been said in recent decades about over-population, but we hear very little, if anything, about depopulation. Economics professor and author Tyler Cowen believes that global depopulation is a genuine phenomenon that needs addressing. Cowen says those concerned about over-population would welcome news of a population reversal. However, he thinks depopulation will bring with it unique problems and that policies are needed to reverse declining populations. Cowen states that women pursuing careers instead of motherhood or having children later in life is only part of the issue. He says as more countries increase their wealth, so too does religiosity decline—and religion, he says, is linked to the number of children families have. Furthermore, Cowen states that despite the 'aggressive' pro-family subsidy policies of countries such as South Korea, little is changing to reverse the trend towards depopulation. 

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