Fertility rates have been declining across the developed and developing world for decades [0]. We haven't relied upon VR to maintain a reasonable standard of living thus far — why would such a change be inevitable in the future?
> The UN-Habitat reports that 43% of urban population in developing countries and 78% of those in the least developed countries are slum dwellers. [1]
People can live without VR but will they keep living without it once VR is available? People can also live without mobile phones or cars but whoever can, owns one.
It's cheaper to build a VR headset than to build a house. Whoever is poor will buy a VR headset way before they buy a house.
Facebook is already handing out free internet in poor countries. They can double down and hand out free VR headsets. If they play it right, they will own the platform for remote work. Let children in slums grow up in the Metaverse and they will be native English speakers, but they will work for $1 per day.