Musk Issues Stark Warning: Europe Faces “Death” Without Baby Boom
Tech Mogul Urges Large Families Amidst Alarming Fertility Decline
Elon Musk has issued a dire warning to Europe, asserting that the continent must significantly increase its birth rates by embracing larger families or face a demographic “death.” This marks his second pronouncement on the matter within a month.
Europe’s Fertility Crisis Highlighted
The outspoken entrepreneur shared data on X, formerly Twitter, responding to reports indicating that Europe’s fertility rate has fallen below the crucial 2.1 replacement level. He highlighted a 2024 map illustrating rates as low as 1.18 in countries such as Italy.
Either Europe starts having large families or it will keep dying.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2024
“Existential Crisis” of Low Birth Rates
Musk has previously advised individuals to aim for at least three children to avert population collapse. He referenced a new benchmark for population stability suggesting 2.7 children per woman, a revision from the earlier 2.1 figure, to account for factors like childlessness and gender distribution.
Global Fertility Plunge
The tech magnate pointed to a dramatic global downturn in fertility, with the average number of children per woman dropping from 5.3 in 1963 to under 2.5 today. This trend raises concerns about potential labor shortages, economic stagnation, and increased social strain in aging developed nations.
Musk, a father of 14 children, has positioned himself as actively addressing what he views as an existential threat. He has drawn historical parallels, suggesting that demographic decline played a pivotal role in the downfall of historical civilizations.
“Low birth rate was the primary factor in the fall of Rome and all civilizations that enjoyed an extended period of prosperity with no serious external threats,” he posted.
Demographic Decline and Societal Impact
The United States currently reports a fertility rate of 1.66 children per woman, while nations like Italy and Japan face even lower figures, at 1.29 and 1.30 respectively. These numbers fall significantly short of the revised 2.7 threshold needed for population stability.
Data from the World Bank reveals a global fertility rate of approximately 2.3 births per woman in 2021, a decline from earlier decades. However, this average masks vast regional differences, with many developed countries experiencing rates well below replacement levels.
Musk‘s persistent focus on this issue stems from his belief that unchecked demographic decline could lead to societal collapse, echoing historical patterns he believes have led to the fall of past empires.