Elon Musk on Declining Birth Rate
Elon Musk has repeatedly voiced deep concern over the declining birth rate globally, framing it as a crisis of civilization. He has explicitly stated that low birth rates will cause civilization to end, suggesting the population has effectively already collapsed and a societal "tsunami" is imminent.
Musk posits that this demographic collapse is a more significant risk to civilization than global warming, emphasizing that the trend shows no signs of reversing without intervention. He has highlighted specific countries, such as South Korea, as being far below the necessary replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman, warning of extreme future population contraction.
His strong personal investment in the issue is visible, as he has fathered numerous children across multiple relationships and has reportedly spent millions funding fertility and population research. Despite his concerns about population decline in Western nations, his focus has been on encouraging higher birth rates domestically rather than expanding immigration policies.
Context
Elon Musk's high personal profile and large number of children underscore his vested interest in the topic of birth rate decline. He has fathered at least 14 children with multiple women, indicating a personal commitment to increasing family size.
His concerns are often framed not just as economic issues (like workforce sustainability) but as an existential threat to civilization. This framing elevates the topic in public discourse beyond typical demographic analysis.
Timeline
- Musk's concerns about population decline were publicly known.
- The US recorded a historically low birth rate.
- Musk continued to stress the issue, referencing America's role in Western civilization.
- He issued a stark warning on X after a US report showed birth numbers at a 40-year low.
Key Quotes
Low birth rates will end civilization.
The population isn't 'collapsing' — it has collapsed. The shoreline is receding and no one understands the tsunami about to hit us.
Unless that changes, civilisation will disappear. Nothing seems to be turning that around. Humanity is dying.
Sources5
Elon Musk Issues Birth Rate Warning For US
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.