Tesla chief and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has started a debate on X by posting that low birth rate is the number one threat to the West.

Sharing an X post of an internet user, Musk said: "Low birth rate is the number one threat to the West, followed closely by migration."

In his stark warning, he said, "There will be no West if this continues."

He was responding to an X user's remark who said: " Replacement migration is the greatest threat the entire West currently faces."

He remarked on the declining population rate in Europe.

Musk wrote the post referring to a Irish Statistics posted remark that said: " The 25-34yr old age group in Ireland is now circa 59% Ethnic Irish. It is currently dropping by 2.3% a year. Source: CSO Table F5064 with Net Migration figures added using the age profile from PPSN numbers issued."

Netizens join the debate

Several internet users joined the debate and expressed their views on X on the issue of population decline.

One of the social media user said: "f we want to truly advance as a civilization, we need to urgently address population collapse and declining birth rates. Without enough people, especially highly capable individuals, we won’t make meaningful progress in any area. Expanding into space, accelerating AI development, and unlocking more of Earth’s energy potential all depend on a thriving, growing human population. The truth is, we can’t build a bright future with these shrinking numbers. Especially those with intelligence, drive, and vision should feel a responsibility to have many children. Civilization depends on it."

Another said: "The problem is that low birth rate causes issues such as labour shortage, which governments try to fix quickly with migration. They aren’t thinking of the long term consequences, just getting some nice economic figures for the next quarter. And it doesn’t work because they end up importing large numbers of dependents anyway."

"Couldn’t immigration solve some of the issues with low birth rates, assuming the immigrants are vetted and not criminals?" he said.