Alice Evans

And that's prohibitively difficult for many families. Now, those difficulties are real, and governments should take those economic concerns seriously, and I'm all here supporting cheaper housing, more affordable housing, greater access to safer, accessible childcare.

However, I don't think that explanation is a full story, because it won't explain why it's happening everywhere all at once, even at very, very different levels of income. And so that brings us to the Alice Evans theory. Yes, exactly. So what has happened everywhere all at once is that we see a rise of singles.

However, I don't think that explanation is a full story, because it won't explain why it's happening everywhere all at once, even at very, very different levels of income. And so that brings us to the Alice Evans theory. Yes, exactly. So what has happened everywhere all at once is that we see a rise of singles.

However, I don't think that explanation is a full story, because it won't explain why it's happening everywhere all at once, even at very, very different levels of income. And so that brings us to the Alice Evans theory. Yes, exactly. So what has happened everywhere all at once is that we see a rise of singles.

And the rise in singles, that is, I mean, people neither being married or cohabiting, and it precisely correlates with the decline in fertility. Now, previously, late from the 1960s, American couples had fewer children. But now what's happening is they're not even forming those couples. So in America, for example...

And the rise in singles, that is, I mean, people neither being married or cohabiting, and it precisely correlates with the decline in fertility. Now, previously, late from the 1960s, American couples had fewer children. But now what's happening is they're not even forming those couples. So in America, for example...

And the rise in singles, that is, I mean, people neither being married or cohabiting, and it precisely correlates with the decline in fertility. Now, previously, late from the 1960s, American couples had fewer children. But now what's happening is they're not even forming those couples. So in America, for example...

Over half of 18 to 34 year olds are neither in a steady relationship nor living with a partner. Furthermore, just out from Pew, most single Americans don't feel much pressure to find a partner. Half say they're not even looking.

Over half of 18 to 34 year olds are neither in a steady relationship nor living with a partner. Furthermore, just out from Pew, most single Americans don't feel much pressure to find a partner. Half say they're not even looking.

Over half of 18 to 34 year olds are neither in a steady relationship nor living with a partner. Furthermore, just out from Pew, most single Americans don't feel much pressure to find a partner. Half say they're not even looking.

Oh, that's a great point. But that's actually going down too now. In America, it's been the least educated who are less likely to marry. And that's where there's been the steepest decline in fertility.

Oh, that's a great point. But that's actually going down too now. In America, it's been the least educated who are less likely to marry. And that's where there's been the steepest decline in fertility.

Oh, that's a great point. But that's actually going down too now. In America, it's been the least educated who are less likely to marry. And that's where there's been the steepest decline in fertility.

So, here's the thing. I think historically people would have married for one of three reasons. Very crudely, love, money, or respect. You know, in conservative societies where singledom is totally stigmatized, then you have to marry for respectability. You know, in India, where it's so important, lots of aunties and uncles might be pestering people, you know, when are you getting married?

So, here's the thing. I think historically people would have married for one of three reasons. Very crudely, love, money, or respect. You know, in conservative societies where singledom is totally stigmatized, then you have to marry for respectability. You know, in India, where it's so important, lots of aunties and uncles might be pestering people, you know, when are you getting married?

So, here's the thing. I think historically people would have married for one of three reasons. Very crudely, love, money, or respect. You know, in conservative societies where singledom is totally stigmatized, then you have to marry for respectability. You know, in India, where it's so important, lots of aunties and uncles might be pestering people, you know, when are you getting married?

When are you getting married? You know, for my grandparents, it was just the done thing to get married. But now as society liberalises, you know, Miley Cyrus championing flowers, I can buy myself some flowers. There's more permissibility, so that's one thing. There's also economic convergence. So as women earn their own incomes, they can increasingly be more independent.

When are you getting married? You know, for my grandparents, it was just the done thing to get married. But now as society liberalises, you know, Miley Cyrus championing flowers, I can buy myself some flowers. There's more permissibility, so that's one thing. There's also economic convergence. So as women earn their own incomes, they can increasingly be more independent.

When are you getting married? You know, for my grandparents, it was just the done thing to get married. But now as society liberalises, you know, Miley Cyrus championing flowers, I can buy myself some flowers. There's more permissibility, so that's one thing. There's also economic convergence. So as women earn their own incomes, they can increasingly be more independent.

So compatibility increasingly depends on love, whether people really enjoy each other's company. But of course, there are lots of frictions. You know, people might be manipulative, deceitful, unfaithful. And if there are lots of frictions, they may call it quits.