The End of Global Population Growth: Boon or Doom?

This talk explores the potential consequences of the end of global population growth, examining various scenarios for a world with no growth. With global population growth likely to cease within the next 60 years, some view this shift as a relief from ecological pressures, while others fear it may lead to labor shortages, government fiscal collapse, and aging populations lacking adequate care. Countries with extremely low fertility rates—such as Italy, Japan, and South Korea—could even face the risk of national extinction within a few generations. This talk will investigate these contrasting perspectives, considering whether this shift will be a boon or a doom for the future. Speaker Jack A. Goldstone, Virginia E. and John T. Hazel, Jr. Chair Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Center for Social Change, George Mason University