We're nearing 'peak population.' These economists are worried.

This NPR Planet Money Indicator podcast episode discusses the implications of declining global fertility rates. Economists Dean Spears and Mike Geruso, authors of the forthcoming book "After the Spike," argue that a shrinking global population, projected to peak around 10 billion in 2080 and then decline to 2 billion over the following centuries, will negatively impact progress and prosperity. They explain this through the economic concepts of idea generation and fixed costs, suggesting that a larger population fosters innovation and allows for the efficient utilization of resources with high fixed costs. While acknowledging concerns about the environment, they contend that population decline and climate change are separate issues requiring distinct solutions. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the challenges of reversing falling fertility rates and the need for societal support for parents.