The world is facing a quiet but transformative challenge: depopulation. As birth rates decline, populations age, and migration patterns shift, the impacts will be felt across almost every aspect of human existence, from housing markets and tax bases to workforce stability, public safety, infrastructure planning, geopolitics, education, and long-term economic competitiveness.
We hosted a live recording of the Baker Institute’s flagship podcast, “Baker Briefing,” to explore depopulation and its implications. Ambassador David M. Satterfield was joined by Fellow Bill King from the Center for Tax and Budget Policy to examine how demographic trends may reshape policymaking and what leaders can do now to plan responsibly for the future.
All attendees who are members of the Baker Roundtable (or who joined by February 17, 2026) received a complimentary copy of Bill King’s new book, “Depopulation: Our New Demographics Reality.” A reception and book signing took place prior to the conversation.
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About "Baker Briefing"
The “Baker Briefing” podcast tackles the most critical foreign and domestic policy issues of the day in conversations with experts at the Baker Institute. Hosted by David M. Satterfield, director of the Baker Institute, new episodes are released weekly. Certain episodes of “Baker Briefing” are recorded in front of a live audience at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
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Agenda
5:30 pm CDT — Reception and Book Signing
6:00 pm CDT — "Baker Briefing" Live Discussion
Participants
The Honorable David M. Satterfield
Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy; Former ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey
Bill King
Fellow in Public Finance, Rice University's Baker Institute
