SMRTR Science & EngineeringJun 14, 2025Live Science

How long would it take for humans to go extinct if we stopped having babies?

SMRTR summary

If humans stopped reproducing, the global population would decline rapidly, leading to civilization's collapse within 70-80 years due to shortages of essential services. While unlikely, scenarios like widespread infertility or nuclear war could cause extinction. Currently, birth rates are declining in many countries, but the global population is still growing, expected to peak at 10 billion in the 2080s. Maintaining a balance between young and old is crucial for society. Addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity are key to ensuring humanity's future.

SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Live Science.

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