Global Challenge: Declining Birthrates and Aging Populations Reshape Nations
Countries worldwide are grappling with demographic shifts, prompting policy changes and societal adjustments to address shrinking workforces and growing elderly populations.
- China's population declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, dropping by 1.4 million, with projections suggesting a further decrease to 1.3 billion by 2050 despite relaxed family planning policies.
- Japan's population has fallen by 3 million since its 2008 peak, with record-low births in 2023 and projections showing 40% of its population will be 65 or older by 2070.
- Italy recorded fewer than 400,000 births in 2023 for the first time since the 19th century, with government campaigns and Vatican support urging families to increase birthrates to stabilize the economy.
- South Korea saw a slight population increase in 2023 due to a 10% rise in foreign residents, though its birthrate continues to decline amid high childcare costs and cultural pressures on women.
- The United Nations reports that populations have peaked in 63 countries, with another 48 expected to reach their peak in the next 30 years, while the global population is projected to grow to 10.3 billion before declining.
Newsweek 
South China Morning Post 
The Independent 
SHINE 
The Sydney Morning Herald 
Al Jazeera 
Associated Press 
CNA 