Paul Ehrlich's Population Predictions Were Wrong. And Harmful.

The article focuses on the contrast between the predictions of American biologist Paul Ehrlich, author of *The Population Bomb* (1968), and current demographic trends in several advanced economies. Ehrlich warned of catastrophic consequences from overpopulation, but today countries like Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan, and many in Europe face ultra-low fertility rates and shrinking workforces, prompting policies aimed at encouraging higher birthrates. While Ehrlich’s concerns about resource limits and environmental degradation influenced the modern environmental movement, his forecast of population-driven apocalypse has not materialized; instead, declining fertility poses new economic and social challenges. Policymakers are now grappling with the implications of population decline for labor markets, social services, and national vitality, highlighting a significant shift from the mid-20th-century focus on population control. [Extracted from the article]