Summary
Pronatalist policies aimed at reversing fertility decline have gained traction globally, framed as necessary responses to aging populations and shrinking workforces. This perspective article argues that such policies overlook both reproductive self-determination and the ecological costs of continued population growth.
Drawing on climate science and demographic data, the authors demonstrate that the concern is misguided, as the world’s population is still projected to increase until the 2080s, and that policy responses to the economic consequences of lower fertility are easier to implement than the long-term consequences of ecological overshoot. Respecting reproductive rights while crafting responsive policies offers better solutions to the current demographic shift. They call for continued investment in reproductive rights, education, and healthcare as sound policy for both human and planetary health.