The Vanishing Herd: Survival and Innovation

Global fertility rates are falling, populations are aging, and the consequences are already reshaping economies and societies. In this episode, Nic speaks with Anu Madgavkar, partner at the McKinsey Global Institute, about what these demographic shifts mean for the innovation capacity and long-term vitality of nations and companies.

They explore how shrinking workforces, aging populations, and declining dynamism threaten growth — while also creating opportunities for new models of productivity, technology adoption, and global collaboration. As fertility and vitality decline, what might these trends mean for us — and for the societies awaiting future generations?