Letter: Positives of having a lower birth rate are rarely cited

As early as 1982 German novelist Günter Grass in Headbirths, or, the Germans are Dying Out pointed out that the developed world — ie the countries most able to care for children — was experiencing declining fertility rates compared with the developing world (“Rich countries’ birth rates fall to record low”, Report, June 21).

Since then concerns have been regularly raised over declining tax revenues, the funding of pensions, the costs of caring for the elderly, manning the armed forces, maintaining education systems, and the slower growth in our gross domestic product.

Rarely, if ever, are the positives cited, namely the environmental benefits of a smaller population, the lower pressure on infrastructure and the affordability of housing, particularly for the young.

A Japan of 100mn inhabitants will emit less carbon, have fewer traffic jams, have bigger apartments — the Japan Self-Defense Forces will use more robots and more artificial intelligence and, who knows, maybe even achieve a higher GDP per capita. What’s not to like?

Edward Plumbly
Northaw, Hertfordshire, UK

Letter in response to this letter:

Gross domestic product — per capita or per robot / From Anthony Carey, London HA5, UK