From Boom to Bust: 15 Countries Facing Massive Population Declines
World population patterns transform global dynamics at a speed more rapid than what people might generally predict. According to UN projections, China and other countries will experience a population decline starting in 2054.
This significant demographic change extends beyond empty schools and reduced subway traffic, profoundly affecting economic systems, labor forces, and customary urban lifestyle patterns. The presented list serves as an understatement rather than a cataclysmic prediction.
The handbook provides knowledge about nations at demographic intersections and explains their shrinking populations as the effects spread globally.
Japan
CNN reports that Japan experienced a population decrease of almost 800,000 people in 2022, which extended its decline pattern for twelve years. Japan quickly transformed into a nation with older residents, as its current median age is 49, and its citizens older than 65 represent almost 30 percent of the population.
The culprits? Reduced birth rates and longer lives face additional barriers from strict immigration policies. The declining student population causes multiple schools to cease operations, and numerous small towns provide homes without payment to meet population objectives.
The diminishing labor force reduces economic output while leading to retarded innovation development and severely tests the integrity of social aid programs. The workforce includes some robots to address the shortage of workers. The Japanese nation serves as the definitive case study for developing hyper-aging societies.
South Korea
Based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development data, South Korea’s fertility rate dropped to 0.72 in 2023, the lowest worldwide measurement.
The population maintained a downward pattern into its fourth year because young adults avoided parenthood and marriage due to excessive housing expenses, extended work schedules, and expensive educational costs.
The government provides financial benefits to new parents, yet most couples are uninterested in these benefits. Today’s schools face empty spaces while many workers leave their positions, which creates a precarious situation for pension security.
Italy
Italy currently faces population reduction because the birth rate reached its lowest point at 1.23 children per woman in 2023. High youth unemployment, hefty living expenses, and the outmigration of young professionals create challenging conditions for Italian families to have children.
The population loss in southern Italian villages has become especially acute because these regions face rapid depopulation, which risks centuries-old traditions. The government’s “baby bonus” struggles to stem the tide as the median age exceeds 47.
Economic analysts predict a workforce deficit that will strain medical services throughout the country. The country’s combination of cheese and pastoral plazas fails to contribute to population growth, so it cannot avoid inclusion on this list.
Ukraine
BBC report highlights that Ukraine lost nearly a million, triggering a birth rate decline of 28% nationwide. The trend became evident before since war-related insecurity causes families to migrate, as well as affecting the childbirth rate.
A significant population decline forces Ukraine to deal with workforce shortages, diminished revenue streams, and intellectual capital departure. Policymakers must achieve more than a peaceful recovery because they must recruit people to return home, along with strategies to address the population decline.
Ukraine’s story operates on multiple levels, ranging from humanitarian to population decline statistics.
China
Statistics from CNN show that China’s population experienced its worst decline in 2023, when the birth rate reached 6.39 per 1,000 people. This marked the lowest recorded level since measurements began, losing nearly one million people.
The previous one-child policy, which China abolished, continues to affect the world’s biggest demographic because its residents, on average, reach 39 years old. The rising number of unemployed young people coincides with escalating costs for caring for elderly citizens.
The shortage of kindergarten students and the decreasing need for housing create problems for urban areas. Decision-makers rush to find solutions to address demographic issues despite strong societal preferences related to family planning decisions.
Russia
Russia’s population decreased last year because of COVID-19, along with the Ukraine war, combined to worsen a demographic trend that has been declining for years. The demographic replacement rate remains unachievable at 1.4.
The combination of workers who leave the country with health risks and conflicts that lead to numerous deaths makes the population dilemma even more challenging to solve. The Russian authorities use cash assistance programs combined with patriotic family promotion, yet birth statistics show unfulfilled objectives.
Long-term economic expansion faces serious obstacles because the current workforce continues to decline while possible aging becomes increasingly prominent. The population growth numbers would be higher if alcohol served as an effective fertility enhancement agent.
Spain
According to Statista, the Spanish population stagnated in 2022 due to a low birth rate of 1.16, below that of many European countries. The increase in delayed marriages, unstable work conditions, and high rental prices drives the population decline.
Rural regions are losing young people, resulting in “ghost villages” with empty houses and wild boars taking up residence. Government child subsidies produce negligible results in increasing birth rates.
The aging population in Spain now stands at 44 years old, which leads to major pension and healthcare funding crises. Although Spain is known worldwide for its passionate festivals, people avoid hosting traditional baby celebrations.
Portugal
From its peak in 2009 until 2024, Portugal’s population numbers decreased to below 10.3 million. The population birthrate persists at 1.44 children per woman. The population decrease is caused by economic instability, poor earning potential, and continuous youth migration.
The aging population is closing rural schools and destroying numerous local storefronts. The Australian government accepts migrant populations to control population depletion; however, the nation requires additional strategies to keep young individuals from emigrating.
Portugal’s dwindling population has left its ancient heritage and coastal panoramas with fewer caretakers to guide their ongoing development.
Bulgaria
The population in Bulgaria decreased by almost one million during the previous ten years, making it the fastest-declining nation in the EU. The annual population decline in Bulgaria amounts to 0.03% since its population stands at 6.4 million individuals by 2023, with a prediction of a 22.5% decline by 2025
The reasons are low fertility, high emigration, and an aging base. Abandoned rural towns become “ghost villages,” while Sofia tries to lure back talent from abroad.
Although the EU supports training initiatives and start-up programs, it faces ongoing difficulties keeping Bulgarian citizens within national boundaries. When schools disappear along with soaring pension expenses, the social bonds between people weaken.
Hungary
Hungary’s population is 9.6 million. With a fertility rate of 1.56 and rising emigration, the country has implemented an array of “family first” policies, including significant tax breaks for parents. However, the success rate is limited because numerous youths continue to migrate for improved prospects.
The decline in births has created abandoned schools and numerous shuttered businesses throughout rural regions. While Budapest’s primary economic activities continue, rural parts of Hungary fall behind faster than ever.
If population trends continue in their current direction, Hungarian folk dances stand a better chance of survival than the dancers.
Germany
Germany, the economic heart of Europe, faces sharp aging and a slow population decrease despite immigration. The fertility rate is at 1.57 in rural areas, and over 22% of citizens are 65 or older as of 2023, as agreed by Statista.
The shortage of labor workers presents significant obstacles to the successful operation of Germany’s Mittelstand businesses, while healthcare needs escalate. The government tries to address workforce deficits through immigration, although integration presents many challenges to new residents.
Economists are concerned about the economic stability of productivity and pension systems. German precision guides its response to demographic challenges as time runs out.
Greece
Economic crises that drag on while young people leave their country and extremely low birth rates compound the problem. Several villages stand on the verge of disappearing, while educational institutions in urban areas combine departments to prevent their closure.
Incentives such as baby bonuses created by officials fail to convince people to stay in their homes. Since the number of youngsters participating in traditional Greek family gatherings has decreased significantly, the older generation now represents more guests.
Latvia
Since 2011, Latvia’s population has decreased by over 10%, to less than 1.9 million. Low birth rates of 1.6 and extensive population movements to Western Europe establish the prevailing atmosphere.
Rural regions lose their residents, transforming villages into places showing the past, while urban areas face difficulties filling available positions. The government runs return migration programs, but people migrate for better income opportunities outside the country.
Latvian cultural celebrations remain lively, though participation numbers among the youth steadily decrease annually.
Romania
The current population count in Romania reached under 19 million in 2024, while more than three million Romanian citizens work outside the country. Complete patterns emerge from the increased vacant residences and decreasing attendance in educational institutions.
The country’s current economic success faces an imminent threat since employee numbers have declined, which creates challenges for its future growth. The government offers “repatriation” incentives, but enticing citizens to stay home is challenging.
Although Romania has exceptional skills and export capability, it faces difficulties bringing emerging generations into the country.
Croatia
The most recent census data illustrated Croatia’s population decrease after 2014, reaching 3.8 million individuals. The country faces a decline in population because its young people leave the country to join the EU, while birth rates remain near zero.
The rapid aging process in urban centers runs parallel to the complete desertification of island and coastal population areas. Tourism strengthens the economy and causes schools and birth centers to close.
Without immediate action, some of Croatia’s most beautiful destinations might become postcards in an empty landscape.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
You Might Also Like:
How To Stick To Your Holiday Budget and Avoid Debt: With the holiday season in full swing, many face high expenses. The anticipation of gift-giving and the desire to create unforgettable moments often leads to the common tradition of seasonal spending, with the average holiday budget reaching a considerable sum.
