[AFNobody]

More population is bad for ecological reasons.

More population is vital for economic reasons.

Its two competing philosophies. (i.e. Do the financially practical things for an individual/country vs. the wisest thing for the collective species)

[kelnos]

I think saying "for economic reasons" doesn't really paint the whole picture.

It's not just about "growing the economy", it's about ensuring that the economy is strong enough to support the population as it ages people out of the workforce.

[AFNobody]

True, it is that too.