Next time your kids scream in public and someone without kids seems annoyed, remember they’re free-riding. Our species is done unless we have kids. The people who choose to spend time and money on themselves instead of the next generation can hear a little bit of crying.

In my newest article, I debunk the popular misconception that we can expect to have a better world if there are fewer people. Economists have shown that progress comes through large populations and population decline hasn't been associated with flourishing but the very opposite.

An important essay by Marc Novicoff in The Atlantic. The birth rate crisis is much worse than we think, because the UN numbers have been, and continue to be, far too rosy. Gift article linked below:

I'm very excited to be able to host this conversation with More Births about the fertility crisis that might sink civilization. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

"My qualitative research has taught me one thing: culture is malleable! So surely this issue is fixable!" Yes! Alice Evans' global fieldwork studying how culture drives family is second to none. "Interventions will be most effective if they target country-specific" conditions.

An important thread and article by Miriam Cates. "The costs of parenthood are privatised, while the economic benefits of those children – a lifetime of tax contributions – are entirely socialised. We must find ways to restore the personal economic rewards of having children."

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 🎇 Enjoy this 2-minute map of America's extraordinary growth from 1776 until today. Fueled by large families and a pioneering mindset, America grew from 2.5 million in 1776 to 330 million now. This was the fastest sustained growth in world history.

"I just noticed that low birthrates are a problem two minutes ago, but having tried almost nothing, I conclude that nothing works." Here is a list to start with. None of these are incompatible with a free, liberal society.

A good thread and essay on the complex relationship between education and fertility.

x.com/i/article/1942…

In a new article, I review After the Spike, which comes out today. Authors Spears and Geruso show us the drawbacks of a depopulating world. In everything from the environment to living standards and progress itself, a shrinking world would be far from a utopia that some imagine.

A great piece in The Institute for Family Studies on how Utah families are being crushed by a lack of affordable houses. Apartments towers are going up but these are unsuitable for families. What is remarkable is how little Federal land it would take to relieve the housing shortage.

Probably the easiest pronatal policy to implement: allow expecting mothers (or new mothers) to park in ♿️ spaces. Florida already does this, and the other states should follow their lead. Sends an important message of appreciation and support, and makes life easier.

Despite what you hear on social media, parenting isn’t all misery ✅ 73% of parents say it’s enjoyable most/all of the time ✅ 80% find it rewarding 😮 30% say it’s stressful most/all of the time 😴 42% say it’s tiring most/all of the time The good still outweighs the hard.

To celebrate World Population Day, here's the most up to date population pyramid of humanity, based on available data. This year, the TFR of the World will be around 2.16 children per woman and thus below replacement level (2.17) for the fist time in modern history.

In a recent paper, we simulate exactly the effects of this kind of capital gains removal! In steady state, it would improve homeownership by young households, by alleviating lock-in and encouraging downsizing by elderly households.

New analysis suggests that neither vaccines nor lockdowns seem to have much to do with post 2019 fertility declines. The declines were a continuation of longer term trends, with East Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America hit especially hard since 2019.