The article examines the shift in narratives surrounding population growth and decline, noting that predictions of widespread famine due to overpopulation made by Paul and Anne Ehrlich in 'The Population Bomb' in 1968 have not materialized. Instead, many contemporary discussions, such as those by American Vice President J.D. Vance, focus on declining fertility rates that threaten to result in a shortage of people. This raises questions about whether the fears over declining birth rates are misplaced, similar to the previous fears of overpopulation.

The global population trajectory has witnessed dramatic changes, from just 5 million people 12,000 years ago to a current 8 billion, with projections suggesting a future population of 10.2 billion by 2100 according to the UN. This starkly contrasts with the earlier fears of population collapse and famine, indicating that the world is not running out of people, but rather experiencing shifts in demographic trends that create new concerns and discussions around population sustainability and societal impacts.

The author prompts readers to consider whether the ongoing alarm over declining birth rates is as exaggerated as the overpopulation fears of the past. This reflection calls for a more balanced perspective on population changes, encouraging society to relax and appreciate the ongoing human experience rather than succumb to hysteria about declining fertility rates.