Newsweek - Eastern European countries are being hit with the steepest population declines globally. According to the World Population Review, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Latvia are among the nations projected to lose over 20 percent of their populations by 2050. The main drivers of this trend are mass emigration, low birth rates and aging demographics.
Bulgaria is expected to experience a 22.5 percent decrease, with its population dropping from 6.9 million in 2020 to 5.4 million by 2050. Similarly, Lithuania's population is forecast to shrink by 22.1 percent, and Latvia anticipates a 21.6 percent decline within the same period. This pattern of decrease is not limited to Eastern Europe. In Asia, Japan, another country with a significant aging population, is projected to experience a 16.3 percent decrease by 2050, losing over 20 million residents. With one of the lowest fertility rates globally—1.42 births per woman—the country faces increasing challenges in maintaining a balanced workforce.
The implications of population decline extend beyond numbers: shrinking populations can strain economies, reduce the labor force, and challenge social services, particularly in countries with aging demographics.
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