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What declining birth rates mean for society and stock markets
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- 02.12.25
'Peak Oil' has been a topic of discussion for many years. The date just gets pushed out further and further. But what about ‘Peak Population'?
The media are full of stories about immigration, overcrowding and the drain on the public purse – it is an emotive subject, which is changing voting patterns and will likely shape government policy for years to come. However, there are also plenty of stories about declining birth rates across much of the world and the problems this may cause in the medium to long term.
Peak Oil is tricky: there are so many variables to consider when predicting supply and demand (alternative energy, government policy, consumer behaviour to name but a few). But population dynamics are a little easier to predict. In the simplest terms they are governed by births and deaths, both of which are relatively predictable.
Read insights from Paul Schofield, Head of Global Equities at Royal London Asset Management, on how declining birth rates may impact equities.
