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Why Are Birthrates Plummeting Worldwide?

Patrick Boyle · commentary · Watch on YouTube

Social issues & cultureMacroeconomics & financial crises

What it is

Patrick Boyle examines why birth rates are falling in nearly every country and argues the standard explanations do not hold up. He presents data suggesting fewer couples forming is a major driver.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN users cite it as a data-rich look at falling fertility that points to declining coupling rather than people choosing fewer kids.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2025, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “includes lots of graphs and other interesting factlets”

    Reaches similar conclusion on population decline with many graphs and facts.

    derriz, 2025-12 · Recommendation · in “How we lost communication to entertainment”

  2. “He makes the argument that declining birthrates are due more to a fall in coupling than a fall in people in relationships choosing to have kids.”

    Argues falling birthrates stem from fewer couples, correlated with mobile internet use.

    ndiddy, 2026-02 · Recommendation · in “The US is flirting with its first-ever population decline”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: fertility, demographics, population decline, society, economics

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