Elon Musk Reiterates Call for Increased Birth Rates, Citing 2.7 Children Per Woman for Stability

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has once again drawn attention to his long-standing concerns about declining global birth rates, issuing a direct call to action with the tweet, "Don't forget to have children." This statement aligns with his repeated warnings that a global "population collapse" poses an existential threat to civilization, which he argues is a more significant risk than overpopulation. Musk has consistently advocated for higher fertility rates, suggesting that current demographic trends could lead to severe societal and economic consequences.

Musk has frequently challenged the narrative of overpopulation, labeling it "the most nihilistic lie ever told." He asserts that the real crisis is a dramatic decline in birth rates, particularly in developed nations, which he believes could lead to a "slow-motion collapse" of civilization. He has previously stated that "low birth rate is the number one threat to the West," emphasizing that shrinking populations mean fewer workers, an aging populace, and unsustainable economic systems.

Demographic data supports concerns about declining fertility, with many developed countries experiencing birth rates well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. Japan, for instance, saw its population drop by over 900,000 in 2024 with a fertility rate of 1.15, while South Korea recorded an even lower rate of 0.72 in 2023. Recent reports suggest that to avoid long-term extinction, the required fertility rate might be as high as 2.7 children per woman, a figure Musk has amplified.

To counteract these trends, Musk advocates for pro-family policies, including tax incentives, affordable childcare, and parental leave, alongside a cultural shift embracing family life. He has personally taken steps to address the issue, having fathered 14 children, and has controversially suggested that artificial intelligence might eventually play a role in influencing human reproductive behavior. His remarks often urge individuals to have at least three children to compensate for those who have none or one.

While many demographers acknowledge the challenges posed by declining birth rates, some experts caution against oversimplification or question the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Ronald Lee, founding director of the Center for the Economics and Demography of Aging at UC Berkeley, noted that concerns about low birth rates are not new and that Musk's views are often based on "gut feelings" rather than scientific demography. Tomas Sobotka of the Vienna Institute of Demography added that while Musk has made the issue more visible, it has also become "more politically polarized."