John D. Rockefeller III Presidential Commission on Population Growth
After two years of concentrated effort, we have concluded that, in the long run, no substantial benefits will result from further growth of the Nation’s population, rather that the gradual stabilization of our population would contribute significantly to the Nation’s ability to solve its problems. We have looked for, and have not found, any convincing economic argument for continued population growth. The health of our country does not depend on it, nor does the vitality of business, nor the welfare of the average person.
—John D. Rockefeller III, Chairman,Presidential Commission on Population Growth and the American Future, 1972