Factually! with Adam Conover

Could Cratering Birthrates Mean Impending Disaster? with Dr. Alice Evans

Jan 1, 2025

Dr. Alice Evans, a social scientist from King's College London and host of the "Rocking Our Priors" podcast, dives into the alarming drop in global fertility rates. She discusses the potential economic disasters this decline could trigger, from social security strains to workforce shortages. The conversation also touches on how outdated gender roles impact these trends and individual relationships. They highlight vital solutions like immigration and the need for evolving perceptions of masculinity to foster healthier family dynamics and address societal challenges.

01:19:49

Episode guests

Alice Evans

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Declining global fertility rates pose economic risks, jeopardizing workforce availability and straining social support systems like Social Security and Medicare.

Cultural pressures, especially in East Asia, lead to hesitance in having multiple children due to intense educational competition and financial sacrifices.

Shifts in relationship dynamics, particularly women's growing independence, contribute to lower marriage and fertility rates, highlighting a need for evolving societal norms.

Deep dives

Declining Birth Rates and Its Implications

The birth rate in America has been declining since 2007, reaching historical lows, a trend that has sparked discussion among politicians and citizens alike. This decline can lead to significant economic consequences, including reduced workforce availability, which hampers innovation and economic growth. Additionally, a shrinking tax base from a smaller working-age population exacerbates the financial strain on social support systems like Social Security and Medicare, as fewer young workers support an aging demographic. The issue is global, as fertility rates are falling in many countries, prompting essential questions about the underlying causes and potential solutions.

Intro

4min

Declining Birth Rates and Economic Implications

14min

Singles and Shifting Relationships

6min

The Impact of Social Dynamics and Changing Entertainment on Relationships

5min

Tech, Touch and Ties: The Social Shift

13min

Global Fertility Trends and Economic Implications

13min

Unpacking Masculinity in a Changing Society

18min

Love and Gender Equality

8min

Exploring Love and Community as Solutions to Societal Challenges

3min

Global fertility rates are dropping, and while this might initially seem like a solution to overpopulation concerns, it also signals major challenges ahead. A generational imbalance could spell disaster for social security, elder care, and the workforce needed to combat climate change. This week, Adam sits down with Dr. Alice Evans to explore the causes behind declining birthrates, the consequences they could bring, and how society's failure to break harmful gender role expectations for men impacts everyone.

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