“**For most of human history having five or more kids was not uncommon. But this didn’t drive fast population growth because so many children died young**. By the 1950s and 60s, the global average was still similar – women would give birth to five children. Thankfully far more children now survived, which is why the population increased rapidly. But, since then, the global fertility rate has more than halved and is now just over two children per woman. ([Location 712](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0C3X6X695&location=712))” --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[population-growth-rate]], [[technology]], [[gratitude]], [[parenting]], **Source** -- [[260103133118 - B - Not the End of the World]]