Birth

Another comedy lecture on four of the big life stages that mark our journey through life.

Simon Evans explains how economics is part of every one of those stages, whether we like it or not.

As always, he is joined by Financial Times columnist and presenter of Radio 4's 'More or Less', economist Tim Harford and financial guru and editor of Money Week, Merryn Somerset Webb.

In this episode, Simon looks at Birth.

Also on stage are Andy and Sophie who are thinking about having children.

From an economic point of view, should they at all? If they do, how many should they have? And when should they have them?

Special guest Professor James Sefton talks about the optimal birth rate for the country, economically-speaking.

Written by Simon Evans, Benjamin Partridge, Andy Wolton and Guy Venables.

Producer: Claire Jones.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2016.