"The Rise of Pro-Natalism: Tech Billionaires Heed Elon Musk's Cautionary Words"
Elon Musk's concerns about declining birth rates globally reflect a growing movement among tech billionaires in Silicon Valley who advocate for pro-natalist policies. Musk, who has fathered 10 children, has repeatedly emphasized the threat posed by declining populations and has called for incentivizing childbearing. This ideology, known as natalism, promotes high birth rates and policies that encourage reproduction. Many countries, including Hungary, Poland, Greece, Korea, Japan, Latvia, and Finland, have adopted pro-natalist policies in response to falling birth rates. The concern about demographic decline is widespread, with the United Nations reporting an increase in countries with pro-natalist policies. The adoption of natalism among the wealthy elite in Silicon Valley is influenced by the longtermism movement, which focuses on the positive influence of future generations. Other tech billionaires, such as Peter Thiel and Steve Jurvetson, have also invested in fertility centers and related technologies. The pro-natalist movement is rooted in various religions and has drawn criticism for its potential implications.