Today on the podcast I welcome back Daniel Hess (@MoreBirths on X), one of the sharpest analysts of global fertility trends, for a deep dive into why birth rates are collapsing—and why the divide is increasingly political. We discuss:
The growing fertility gap between red states (near replacement) and blue states (deeply sub-replacement)
How marriage is becoming even more important for births in the era of perfect birth control
The rise of a genuine pro-natal culture on the political right
Why high-density YIMBY-style housing often hurts family formation
The forgotten role of suburban sprawl in fueling the Baby Boom
Rising material expectations and status competition squeezing young families
Billionaire fertility extremes and the shifting debate around IVF/surrogacy
If we want a growing future, we need more births. This episode unpacks the cultural, economic, and policy roadblocks—and what might actually move the needle.
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