Population planning must look beyond snapshot of fertility levels

There is no reason for panic about population decline. Instead, we should focus on promoting reproductive agency, and preparing for an aging society.

Contrary to the assumptions of traditional economic models, living standards can continue to rise even as the population gradually declines, writes Céline Delacroix. Pexels photograph by Matilda Wormwood

Opinion

BY CéLINE DELACROIX

July 16, 2025

On July 11, World Population Day bore the stamp of population decline alarmism. Messages portraying current demographic trends as leading to civilization or economic collapse or human extinction are spreading—much like our Canadian wildfires. But unlike wildfires, these na...

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