Declining birth rates only lead to shrinking populations when the birth rate was stable to begin with. -- Date 1: Every two people produce four offspring. Da

Declining birth rates only lead to shrinking populations when the birth rate was stable to begin with. -- Date 1: Every two people produce four offspring. Date 2: Every two people produce three offspring. Between Date 1 and Date 2 the birthrate declined by 25%, but the total rate is still positive.