From a ecology standpoint, you're correct, it would be better for the species if birthrates flatten out. However from an economics standpoint increasing number

From a ecology standpoint, you're correct, it would be better for the species if birthrates flatten out. However from an economics standpoint increasing numbers declining birthrates across the globe is disastrous. Capitalism works by continually passing the buck to the next generation. In order to maintain our current economy we need an ever larger amount of cheap labor creating affordable products. The only two solutions to this are to have a high birth rate or to take advantage of another country's high birthrate through immigration. Europe is seeing this as massive waves of immigration that many groups are uncomfortable with, but these immigrants are necessary to provide affordable labor in the face rapidly declining birthrates. But this economic salvation comes at a the cost of local culture. American's pride themselves on being a "melting pot" but not all European nations feel the same. The US has long relied on immigration for this, but if you look immigration has been flattening out [0] and the impact can be felt in the US. Labor based services are getting harder and harder to get and companies that require labor intensive industries like lumber are experiencing shutdowns because they cannot find enough affordable labor [1]. Again, from a purely ecological/sustainability standpoint this is good: reduced production means reduced consumption, much better for the planet. But this also translates to reduced quality of life. As this trend continues people will continue to find it harder and harder to get goods and services that require human labor. 0. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states-2024 https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested... 1. https://www.mtpr.org/2024-04-18/lumber-mill-closure-leaves-seeley-lake-wrestling-with-a-timberless-future https://www.mtpr.org/2024-04-18/lumber-mill-closure-leaves-s...