The right is desperate for a solution to falling birthrates. Who’s going to tell them that the answer is immigration? Right-wing politicians in the US and Europe are advocating for higher birthrates, linking declining numbers to liberal values and warning of civilizational collapse. Conversely, the article suggests that falling birthrates are a symptom of social progress and economic instability, and that the benefits of reduced births for climate change are slow to materialize and may be outweighed by other societal concerns. Ultimately, the piece posits that immigration, rather than increased domestic birthrates, may be a more realistic solution to the demographic challenges faced by many countries.

• High-profile figures in the US and Europe, including JD Vance and Giorgia Meloni, are encouraging higher birthrates, linking falling numbers to liberal individualism and warning of societal decline.
• Falling birthrates are attributed to a mix of social progress, emancipation, and features of modern capitalism such as insufficient social housing, expensive childcare, and job insecurity.
• While some argue that fewer births help combat climate change, others contend that the population impacts are too slow and small to be an effective solution.
• Lower birthrates lead to ageing societies that vote and consume differently, with a greater share of resources directed towards the elderly, potentially distracting from other crucial issues.
• Many countries, including the UK and South Korea, are experiencing declining fertility rates, with significant social and economic consequences like school closures and potential town hollowing.
• The article suggests that, despite political rhetoric, the future may see countries competing for immigrants rather than maligning them, as they will be essential for maintaining social structures.
• Evidence indicates that falling fertility rates have been steeper among women without college degrees in the US, contradicting the idea that it’s solely a matter of middle-class decadence.
• Political parties like Reform UK in Britain are linking reduced immigration with encouraging native birthrates, proposing policies like tax breaks for married couples.