Libidinal Capitalist Modernity and Falling Fertility Worldwide
by Dr. Gopabandhu Dash
Fertility rates are falling across much of the world, with most countries now below or approaching replacement levels. This article examines the demographic shift through the lens of capitalism, gender relations, and changing social priorities. Drawing on research by Claudia Goldin, Julia M. Puaschunder, and others, it argues that declining fertility cannot be explained by economic costs or women’s empowerment alone. It explores how workplace demands, unequal domestic responsibilities, and market-driven lifestyles shape reproductive choices, and considers the implications for ageing societies, labour markets, and countries such as India that face demographic transition before sustained economic prosperity.