I know it's the Economist, but it would be great if it could at least contemplate some of the benefits of a shrinking population: - less people, therefore less

I know it's the Economist, but it would be great if it could at least contemplate some of the benefits of a shrinking population: - less people, therefore less competition for houses, therefore lower house prices - less urban sprawl, more nature reserves - less cars, less traffic - less farming, therefore less competition with native animals for land It might even lead to a (long-awaited) increase in real wages if there is more competition for workers ... oh wait, AI will take care of that.