The reason is that widening replacement-level fertility means population growth is slowing down anyway.

ECONOMIST: Lower fertility is changing the world for the better

France and most of the Nordic countries have embraced such policies and been rewarded with a rise in fertility close to replacement level.

ECONOMIST: Most of the rich world is short of babies

The odd ones out are America and Britain, which both have lots of women at work and fertility rates close to replacement level (with immigration making up the rest).

ECONOMIST: Most of the rich world is short of babies

The fertility rate has risen to 1.66, still below the replacement level but higher than the national average.

ECONOMIST: A baby bump courtesy of the taxpayer