Should we be concerned about the falling global fertility rate?

This appeared in The Millennial Source

On July 14, a study published in The Lancet medical journal revealed that global fertility rates and population growth were both expected to drop by 2100. The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, cited “female educational attainment and access to contraception” as two of the main contributing factors to this trend.

The study was picked up by multiple news agencies, with BBC News publishing an article on July 15 entitled, “Fertility rate: ‘Jaw-dropping’ global crash in children being born.” While a reduced human population could have ecological benefits for the planet, the study suggests that many countries will face economic difficulties because of their dwindling population.

Fertility, mortality, migration and population scenarios

The Lancet study’s full title is “Fertility, mortality, migration, and population scenarios for 195 countries and territories from 2017 to 2100: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study.” The study, which forecasts the world population from 2018 to 2100, was conducted by two dozen researchers.

The forecasts in the study involved calculating increased life expectancy and the total fertility rate…