In the next few decades many believe we will approach peak population. We will reach a point where people are dying at a rate faster than people are born. So what this represents is the end of growth, at least in terms of population.For a capitalist system it will mean new approaches. Markets are very much based on growth, whether that be growth in homes built, goods produced and purchased, or credit extended. But there is likely to be a point where we reach maximums for homes built, goods produced, and credit extended. And over the next few decades we will slowly approach these maximums.
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Quality of life and efficiency may replace growth as the most important goals of capitalism. In many cases, quality of life increases as fewer people share the same number of goods or the same amount of space. And with increased efficiency those people make better use of goods and space.
There will surely be an increasingly limited amount of commodity per person as well. Peaks on coal, oil, copper and wood will surely be realized. More and more the solution to limits will be based on reversing population growth, and increasing efficiency of limited commodities.
We face a great challenge ahead, but as we start to surpass peak population, and move in reverse, we will move toward more per person, not less. Interesting times ahead for sure!