Leslie Root is making headlines for her evidence-based pushback against growing fears of population collapse. In a new piece published in The Conversation, Leslie and her colleagues argue that while changes in population structure from low birth rates are real, “the impact of these changes has been dramatically overstated.”

Leslie takes aim at the rising “pronatalist” movement that advocates for increased birth rates to prevent economic decline. Her research reveals three key flaws in population collapse arguments: misunderstanding fertility measures, overstating population decline impacts, and ignoring the role of economic policies in addressing demographic change.

“As demographers who study fertility, family behaviors and childbearing intentions, we can say with certainty that population decline is not imminent, inevitable or necessarily catastrophic,” Leslie and her co-authors write.

The analysis comes as the Trump administration seeks ideas to encourage higher birth rates amid the U.S. experiencing its lowest total fertility rate in history. Leslie’s work provides crucial context for policymakers navigating these demographic discussions.

Read the full piece here