Explores the pros and cons of a declining global population, including worker shortages, lower risk of famine, and greater affluence and autonomy for women. "For half a century, statisticians, pundits, and politicians have warned that a burgeoning population will soon overwhelm the earth's resources. But a growing number of experts are sounding a different alarm. Rather than continuing to increase exponentially, they argue, the global population is headed for a steep decline--and in many countries, that decline has already begun. In Empty Planet, John Ibbitson and Darrell Bricker find that a smaller global population will bring with it many benefits: fewer workers will command higher wages; the environment will improve; the risk of famine will wane; and falling birthrates in the developing world will bring greater affluence and autonomy for women. But enormous disruption lies ahead, too. We can already see the effects in Europe and parts of Asia, as aging populations and worker shortages weaken the economy and impose crippling demands on healthcare and social security. The United States and Canada are well-positioned to successfully navigate these coming demographic shifts--that is, unless growing isolationism leads us to close ourselves off just as openness becomes more critical to our survival than ever. Rigorously researched and deeply compelling, Empty Planet offers a vision of a future that we can no longer prevent--but one that we can shape, if we choose."--Dust jacket.

A brief history of population -- Malthus and sons -- The graying of Europe -- Asia: the price of miracles -- The economics of babies -- The Africa question -- Shutting down the factory in Brazil -- Push and pull migration -- The Elephant rises, the Dragon declines -- The second American century -- Cultural extinction in an age of decline -- The Canadian solution -- What lies ahead.