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After the Spike

The Risks of Global Depopulation and the Case for People
Brief Description
An eye-opening exploration of humanity’s unprecedented path to global depopulation – and why it’s in everyone's interests to prevent it ‘Stunning … Essential reading’ DANIEL H. PINK‘Helps us understand this most dramatic period in human history’ HANNAH RITCHIE‘Dissolves our preconceptions about population through evidence, rigour and a deep... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3500
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Releases 28th January 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "After the Spike" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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An eye-opening exploration of humanity’s unprecedented path to global depopulation – and why it’s in everyone's interests to prevent it

‘Stunning … Essential reading’ DANIEL H. PINK
‘Helps us understand this most dramatic period in human history’ 
HANNAH RITCHIE
‘Dissolves our preconceptions about population through evidence, rigour and a deep compassion for all’ 
TOBY ORD

What kind of future do we want?

If we continue as we are, the world’s population will peak within decades and then suddenly, rapidly decline. It is easy to imagine that fewer people would be better, for both the planet and people who remain. After the Spike asks us to think again.

In this deeply reasoned and profoundly empathetic look at our shrinking world, leading population economists Dean Spears and Michael Geruso explain why global depopulation makes it harder to escape poverty, disease and inequality – ultimately leaving us all worse off. Above all, they show how population revival, when grounded in freedom and support, goes hand in hand with a greener, healthier and fairer future for everyone.

‘A punchy read’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘Knocks down assumptions like skittles’ 
GUARDIAN
'We should all welcome
 After the Spike'LITERARY REVIEW
'Clear and comprehensive' 
OBSERVER
‘You really should read this’ 
NEW SCIENTIST

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529939149

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 January 2027

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Dean Spears (Author) Dean Spears and Michael Geruso are economists, demographers and associate professors at the University of Texas at Austin. Spears is a founding executive director of r.i.c.e, a nonprofit that works to promote children's health, growth and survival in rural India. Geruso served as a senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers under President Biden, where he advised on healthcare and population change. Their research on health, population, and climate change has been published in top peer-reviewed journals and featured in publications such as The New York Times, Economist and National Geographic. Mike Geruso (Author) Dean Spears and Michael Geruso are economists, demographers and associate professors at the University of Texas at Austin. Spears is a founding executive director of r.i.c.e, a nonprofit that works to promote children's health, growth and survival in rural India. Geruso served as a senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers under President Biden, where he advised on healthcare and population change. Their research on health, population, and climate change has been published in top peer-reviewed journals and featured in publications such as The New York Times, Economist and National Geographic.

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  • After the Spike
    An eye-opening exploration of humanity's unprecedented path to global depopulation and why it's in everyone's interests to prevent it. If we continue as we are, with birth rates falling globally, the world's human population will peak in the next few decades—and then begin a sudden and rapid decline. It would be easy to think that fewer people would be better—better...
    Paperback
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today

Also by Michael Geruso

View all
  • After the Spike
    An eye-opening exploration of humanity's unprecedented path to global depopulation and why it's in everyone's interests to prevent it. If we continue as we are, with birth rates falling globally, the world's human population will peak in the next few decades—and then begin a sudden and rapid decline. It would be easy to think that fewer people would be better—better...
    Paperback
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today

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