The Bomb Was Horrifying. The Alternatives Would Have Been Worse.
Historical records show that dropping atomic bombs was the least bad option.
List of Demography articles
![Shoppers crowd at a flower market on the eve of 'Gudi Padwa' or the Maharashtrian new year in Mumbai on April 1, 2022.]()
Shoppers crowd at a flower market on the eve of 'Gudi Padwa' or the Maharashtrian new year in Mumbai on April 1, 2022.
Population Control Is Back in India
India now has the world’s largest population—and is trying to find ways not to.
![A protester holds a placard with the number 64 crossed out with an X.]()
A protester holds a placard with the number 64 crossed out with an X.
The Ugly Paradox Behind the West’s Demographic Problems
France’s pension reforms, Italy’s elder care robots, and Arkansas’s child labor all have one thing in common: a fear of immigration.
![An image of Alexander the Great on horseback fighting the Battle of Issus.]()
An image of Alexander the Great on horseback fighting the Battle of Issus.
What China Can Learn From Japan—and Alexander the Great
It’s time for Beijing to reexamine its long-standing sense of purpose.
![U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a photo with African leaders during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington on Dec. 15, 2022.]()
U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a photo with African leaders during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington on Dec. 15, 2022.
How Africa Can Avoid Getting Scrambled
African leaders must be more imaginative and proactive in pooling their efforts and setting the agenda.
![A tailoring workshop in Lome, Togo in September 2016.]()
A tailoring workshop in Lome, Togo in September 2016.
To Tackle Poverty in Africa, Provide Job Training for Teenage Girls
Skills training programs must target those under age 18 to reduce adolescent birth rates and unemployment.
![A man wears a protective mask and looks at his phone as he rests on a pedestrian bridge overlooking an expressway.]()
A man wears a protective mask and looks at his phone as he rests on a pedestrian bridge overlooking an expressway.
China’s Restive Middle Class Will Be Xi’s Greatest Test Yet
Middle-class people, it turns out, have limited patience for things like intrusive social monitoring and censorship of personal expression.
![Iranians protest the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Tehran.]()
Iranians protest the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Tehran.
Meet Iran’s Gen Z: the Driving Force Behind the Protests
They’re shaking up the aging clerical establishment to a degree not seen since the 1979 revolution.
![An American flag billows in the wind as immigrants stand and take the oath of allegiance to the United States during a naturalization ceremony at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Sept. 15, 2017.]()
An American flag billows in the wind as immigrants stand and take the oath of allegiance to the United States during a naturalization ceremony at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Sept. 15, 2017.
America Needs a Great Opening
Why Washington should focus on recruiting the best talent from around the world.
![A group of older Chinese adults sits on a bench outside chatting.]()
A group of older Chinese adults sits on a bench outside chatting.
A Shrinking China Can’t Overtake America
But if U.S. democracy continues to decay, what’s the point of being on top?
![Former residents evicted from a crowded Lagos shantytown stand on a flotilla of boats.]()
Former residents evicted from a crowded Lagos shantytown stand on a flotilla of boats.
It’s Africa’s Century—for Better or Worse
Asia gets the attention, but the real economic revolution is the inevitable growth of an overlooked continent.
![Four young Black men sit on the side of a rode with their suitcases.]()
Four young Black men sit on the side of a rode with their suitcases.
Treating Migration as a Crisis Is a Missed Opportunity
Racism is keeping rich societies from benefitting from increased migration.
![Hands are shown holding a small U.S. Flag and a folder that says "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services."]()
Hands are shown holding a small U.S. Flag and a folder that says "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services."
What Happens When White People Become a Minority in America?
Other majority-minority societies offer positive examples—and cautionary tales.
![Russian military cadets walk in Moscow.]()
Russian military cadets walk in Moscow.
Russia Doesn’t Have the Demographics for War
The 1990s collapse in birth rates still impacts Moscow’s ambitions.
![King Abdullah of Jordan arrives for his meeting with Austrian chancellor Alexander Schallenberg on Oct. 25 in Vienna, Austria.]()
King Abdullah of Jordan arrives for his meeting with Austrian chancellor Alexander Schallenberg on Oct. 25 in Vienna, Austria.
Why Jordan Will Not Reannex the West Bank
An FP essay provoked a strong response because it brought international attention to a controversial issue that has historically only been debated internally.
![People attend a naturalization ceremony.]()
People attend a naturalization ceremony.
The U.S. Is Still Beating China in Human Capital—For Now
Washington could lose its unique talent advantages unless it pushes reform.
![BEIJING, CHINA - APRIL 19: A Chinese couple wear protective masks as they push their child on a scooter outside the Forbidden City, which remains closed to visitors, on April 19, 2020 in Beijing, China. After decades of growth, officials said China's economy had shrunk in the latest quarter due to the impact of the coronavirus epidemic. The slump in the world's second largest economy is regarded as a sign of difficult times ahead for the global economy. While industrial sectors in China are showing signs of reviving production, a majority of private companies are operating at only 50% capacity, according to analysts. With the pandemic hitting hard across the world, officially the number of coronavirus cases in China is dwindling, ever since the government imposed sweeping measures to keep the disease from spreading. Officials believe the worst appears to be over in China, though there are concerns of another wave of infections as the government attempts to reboot the world's second largest economy. Since January, China has recorded more than 83,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 4,500 deaths, mostly in and around the city of Wuhan, in central Hubei province, where the outbreak first started. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)]()
BEIJING, CHINA - APRIL 19: A Chinese couple wear protective masks as they push their child on a scooter outside the Forbidden City, which remains closed to visitors, on April 19, 2020 in Beijing, China. After decades of growth, officials said China's economy had shrunk in the latest quarter due to the impact of the coronavirus epidemic. The slump in the world's second largest economy is regarded as a sign of difficult times ahead for the global economy. While industrial sectors in China are showing signs of reviving production, a majority of private companies are operating at only 50% capacity, according to analysts. With the pandemic hitting hard across the world, officially the number of coronavirus cases in China is dwindling, ever since the government imposed sweeping measures to keep the disease from spreading. Officials believe the worst appears to be over in China, though there are concerns of another wave of infections as the government attempts to reboot the world's second largest economy. Since January, China has recorded more than 83,000 cases of COVID-19 and at least 4,500 deaths, mostly in and around the city of Wuhan, in central Hubei province, where the outbreak first started. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
China’s Generation of Only Children Wants the Same for Their Kids
The one-child policy left a permanent impression on family life and depresses fertility rates even today.
![Commuters head to the subway in Beijing]()
Commuters head to the subway in Beijing
China’s Sham Meritocracy Has Created a Burned-Out Generation
As the government pushes productivity, young Chinese are embracing cynicism.
![Students gather in an amphitheater at the Université Thomas Sankara near Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on Oct. 15.]()
Students gather in an amphitheater at the Université Thomas Sankara near Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on Oct. 15.
Africa’s Youth Unemployment Crisis Is a Global Problem
Governments and donors must stop focusing solely on skills development and entrepreneurship—or risk more youth migration, unrest, and terrorism.
![Staff at the KL Fertility Centre demonstrate the egg freezing procedure for members of the media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 11. A growing number of women in Singapore are traveling overseas to clinics such as this one to freeze their eggs.]()
Staff at the KL Fertility Centre demonstrate the egg freezing procedure for members of the media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 11. A growing number of women in Singapore are traveling overseas to clinics such as this one to freeze their eggs.
Why Does the Singaporean Government Care About Egg Freezing?
The city-state’s ban on the procedure is making its demographic problems worse.
Load 10 More Articles
Population Control Is Back in India
India now has the world’s largest population—and is trying to find ways not to.
The Ugly Paradox Behind the West’s Demographic Problems
France’s pension reforms, Italy’s elder care robots, and Arkansas’s child labor all have one thing in common: a fear of immigration.
What China Can Learn From Japan—and Alexander the Great
It’s time for Beijing to reexamine its long-standing sense of purpose.
How Africa Can Avoid Getting Scrambled
African leaders must be more imaginative and proactive in pooling their efforts and setting the agenda.
To Tackle Poverty in Africa, Provide Job Training for Teenage Girls
Skills training programs must target those under age 18 to reduce adolescent birth rates and unemployment.
China’s Restive Middle Class Will Be Xi’s Greatest Test Yet
Middle-class people, it turns out, have limited patience for things like intrusive social monitoring and censorship of personal expression.
Meet Iran’s Gen Z: the Driving Force Behind the Protests
They’re shaking up the aging clerical establishment to a degree not seen since the 1979 revolution.
America Needs a Great Opening
Why Washington should focus on recruiting the best talent from around the world.
A Shrinking China Can’t Overtake America
But if U.S. democracy continues to decay, what’s the point of being on top?
It’s Africa’s Century—for Better or Worse
Asia gets the attention, but the real economic revolution is the inevitable growth of an overlooked continent.
Treating Migration as a Crisis Is a Missed Opportunity
Racism is keeping rich societies from benefitting from increased migration.
What Happens When White People Become a Minority in America?
Other majority-minority societies offer positive examples—and cautionary tales.
Russia Doesn’t Have the Demographics for War
The 1990s collapse in birth rates still impacts Moscow’s ambitions.
Why Jordan Will Not Reannex the West Bank
An FP essay provoked a strong response because it brought international attention to a controversial issue that has historically only been debated internally.
The U.S. Is Still Beating China in Human Capital—For Now
Washington could lose its unique talent advantages unless it pushes reform.
China’s Generation of Only Children Wants the Same for Their Kids
The one-child policy left a permanent impression on family life and depresses fertility rates even today.
China’s Sham Meritocracy Has Created a Burned-Out Generation
As the government pushes productivity, young Chinese are embracing cynicism.
Africa’s Youth Unemployment Crisis Is a Global Problem
Governments and donors must stop focusing solely on skills development and entrepreneurship—or risk more youth migration, unrest, and terrorism.
Why Does the Singaporean Government Care About Egg Freezing?
The city-state’s ban on the procedure is making its demographic problems worse.
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