I think the term "harder" is relative. We have replaced some hardships with other. personally I think I would take the hardships of the past vs the crazy toxic ones that lurk now. Factor into what we have done to our planet and the biggest and most profound hardships may be around the corner.
Ya I think this all relative.
As far as over population goes that is also one of those ideas that may be ill informed. I think to be more accurate is that the population base that currently exists is living in a very inefficient manner. The world would house many more humans if we lived in harmony with each other and t==our planet but then is the only goal to populate our plane?
I personally think a great goal is one of harmony no matter how many of us there are. Things like crime and unwanted pregnancies etc all stem out of lack of harmony which spirals off in that direction.