The racial history of the 'overpopulation time bomb' and 'pronatalism' movements

By Gene Demby,

Michel Martin

Published October 28, 2025 at 2:00 AM PDT

Code Switch explores the racial history of two seemingly opposing movements that inform today's declining birthrates.

NPR

Gene Demby

Gene Demby is the co-host and correspondent for NPR's Code Switch team.

Michel Martin

Michel Martin is the weekend host of All Things Considered and host of the Consider This Saturday podcast, where she draws on her deep reporting and interviewing experience to dig in to the week's news. Outside the studio, she has also hosted "Michel Martin: Going There," an ambitious live event series in collaboration with Member Stations.

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