Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Elon Musk has seen expressing his growing concers over declining global fertility rates, warning that the issue poses a significant threat to humanity. Describing the trend as “not just a crisis, but the crisis,” Musk’s seems advocating for pronatalism.
In 2022, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) tweeted that a collapsing birth rate was “the biggest danger civilization faces, by far,” even surpassing the risks of global warming. Musk’s views underscore his advocacy for pronatalism—a pro-birth ideology that regards reproduction as humanity’s primary objective.
Musk’s Advocacy for Pronatalism
According to SkyNews, Musk frequently voices concerns about population decline on social media, often using apocalyptic language. Recently, he wrote, “Population collapse is coming… Earth is almost empty of humans,” and added, “Instead of teaching fear of pregnancy, we should teach fear of childlessness.”
Elon Musk is also among a growing number of investors in fertility technology and research who are “looking for a way to reverse reproductive ageing, overcome infertility, and optimize child selection.”
With 12 children from three different partners, Musk’s personal life reflects his pronatalist beliefs. Few understand the origin of Musk’s pro-birth views better than his own father, Errol Musk.
Musk’s father, Errol Musk, an engineer and businessman from South Africa, shares similar views. Errol, who has seven children ranging in age from 53 to five, has also warned about declining populations. “We are here to continue being here. Any country with any industry should be worried about this trend,” Errol Musk told Sky News.
What Is Pronatalism?
Pronatalism is a belief system that prioritizes reproduction as essential for the survival and prosperity of humanity. According to population projections, the global population will peak at around 10.3 billion in 2084 before beginning to decline, shrinking to just under 10.2 billion by 2100.
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However, many countries are already facing population decline due to falling birth rates. This has led to economic concerns, particularly regarding labor shortages and the ability to support aging populations. Some nations have implemented explicit policies to encourage higher birth rates, with 55 countries—mostly in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—adopting such measures as of 2019.
Criticism of Pronatalism
While pronatalism appeals to those concerned about economic growth and population decline, critics argue that it oversimplifies complex social and economic issues. Luke Munn, a digital cultures expert from the University of Queensland, describes pronatalism as a “Ponzi scheme,” where economic growth depends on ever-expanding populations, placing the heaviest burdens on women.
Critics also highlight the risks of framing childbearing as a societal imperative. Without adequate support, including affordable childcare and healthcare, the push for higher birth rates may exacerbate existing inequalities.
(Raidi/Agung)
