How Population Falls - by Danny Dorling (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE GLOBAL POPULATION STARTS TO FALL, AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

Within the lifetime of today's children, the global population is expected to peak. This demographic shift began sixty years ago, when some countries first saw their birth rates decline. By now, more than half of all nations have a fertility rate below the replacement level. Our economies are dependent on growth, and the prospect of population decline is already inspiring fear and consternation. Conspiracy theories are spreading. Right-wing narratives dominate the discussion, framing this development as a cataclysm. But does it have to be?

How Population Falls provides a much-needed progressive, optimistic framework for understanding this demographic change. Danny Dorling argues that population decline could be positive, especially given our environmental constraints and the impossibility of infinite growth. However, a shrinking population challenges core assumptions about social systems, housing markets and growth-based economics.

Dorling, who has been charting demographic shifts for decades, suggests we need to start adapting to what could otherwise be one of humanity's greatest calamities. What can we do to mitigate the impact? What is it that is deterring the young from having children? The answers are complicated. But they will help us push back against a burgeoning spiral of pessimism.

Review Quotes

"An astonishing, rigorous, clear-sighted investigation into the causes of society's existential failure to reproduce itself. How Population Falls is one of the most important books this year"
--Hettie O'Brien, author of The Asset Class

"Dorling delivers a masterclass on how to present the fundamentals of a major societal issue in a highly readable way while also paying meticulous attention to detail, and what issue could be more important than the future of humanity itself?'"
--Antony Champion, Emeritus Professor of Population Geography, Newcastle University

"Dorling addresses one of the defining economic, social and cultural shifts of our time. Highly readable; it beautifully overlays the scientific literature over political, economic and social realities. It states, with searing urgency, the need to both confront those who seek to exploit this new paradigm for their own ends. At the same time it offers, a new way to respond to the issue in a way that puts people - and not targets - at the centre."
--Stuart Gietel-Basten, Professor of Social Science and Public Policy, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

"Dorling is brilliant at challenging our assumptions and broadening our horizons. His latest book is bracing, humane and a long overdue corrective to some of the most pervasive myths about population trends."
--Will Fern, Chief Executive, Fairness Foundation

About the Author

Danny Dorling is the 1971 Professor of Geography, Oxford. He appears regularly on TV and radio and writes for the Guardian, New Statesman and other papers. Among his books are Population 10 Billion; Inequality and the 1%; Shattered Nation, which was shortlisted for the Bread and Roses prize; and The Next Crisis.