Search

Home > The Indicator from Planet Money > We're nearing 'peak population.' These economists are worried.
Podcast: The Indicator from Planet Money
Episode:

We're nearing 'peak population.' These economists are worried.

Category: Business
Duration: 00:09:06
Publish Date: 2025-07-01 07:00:59
Description: 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
Total Play: 0

Some more Podcasts by NPR

1K+ Episodes
Short Wave     7