Population Politics

Article

Mike Dixon and Julia Margo argue that we should act now to safeguard Britain's demographic future or risk rising levels of inequality and poverty and damage to the economy.

In Britain, the phrase 'population policy' has become synonymous with China's one-child policy. This is a shame. Population policies allow governments to pre-empt and address demographic challenges, and can be as innocuous as providing better childcare.

Mike Dixon and Julia Margo argue that we should act now to safeguard Britain's demographic future or risk rising levels of inequality and poverty and damage to the economy. Using international evidence of which population policies work, they outline a political strategy that would enable the government to take an effective lead in responding to demographic change.

The first chapter of Population Politics details extensive original research revealing for the first time the impact demographic change may have had on levels of poverty and inequality in Britain over the last 25 years.

Related items

  1. A young woman with a long ponytail sits looking out of a bus window

    State of the North 2025 - The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North

    This year’s State of the North report highlights how regional inequality exacerbates the growing challenges facing many young northerners. 
  2. An illustration of an ideal public transport system: a smiling family cross a road near a green bus with houses and trees in the background

    The transport challenge for low-income households

    Many people living on low incomes in the UK are limited in their ability to access the building blocks of a good life because of poor transport provision.

  3. Towards universal opportunity for young people

    Outlining a vision for young people which could increase social mobility while also reducing inequality and disadvantage, so that every young person has the opportunity to build a decent life.