Alan Kohler, a veteran economic analyst, has raised concerns about the declining birth rates in Australia, the US, and the UK, attributing the trend to the influence of smartphones and the burden of high housing costs. Currently, the birth rate in Australia stands at 1.5 births per woman, which is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1. Kohler warns that this decline poses serious economic challenges, including labor shortages, increased pressure on pensions, and reduced tax revenue. He highlights that young people are forming fewer relationships, partly due to unaffordable housing, which discourages them from starting families. The median price for a dwelling in Australia is now $941,864, with Sydney's prices reaching $1.28 million. Kohler suggests that the solutions to this issue may seem contradictory, advocating for increased migration and a reduction in housing prices. He remains skeptical about a recovery in birth rates, predicting that factors such as artificial intelligence may further diminish the desire for human relationships, leading to continued declines in fertility.