Is Population Size Something Governments Really Care About?

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It feels increasingly as if population size is something governments are worried about. China introduced its one child policy in 1980 to reduce its rapidly growing population. Key towards changes in fertility rates have been the spread of better and better contraceptives. Having children is increasingly costly in many countries, especially for women.

On 15 November the world’s population reached 8 billion, according to the UN. Much of that growth is because we’re living longer. As a species we will continue to age, but eventually stop growing. The UN predicts that in the next century humanity will begin to go into decline. So what happens when societies get older and smaller – a problem some countries are already encountering? Ian Sample speaks to Prof Vegard Skirbekk about how humanity got here, and how we prepare for future demographic change. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod