[Samm]

Falling fertility rates mean nearly every country could have shrinking populations by the end of the century.

And 23 nations - including Spain and Japan - are expected to see their populations halve by 2100.

Countries will also age dramatically, with as many people turning 80 as there are being born.

Japan's population is projected to fall from a peak of 128 million in 2017 to less than 53 million by the end of the century.

Italy is expected to see an equally dramatic population crash from 61 million to 28 million over the same timeframe.

They are two of 23 countries - which also include Spain, Portugal, Thailand and South Korea - expected to see their population more than halve.
"That is jaw-dropping," Prof Christopher Murray told me.

China, currently the most populous nation in the world, is expected to peak at 1.4 billion in four years time before nearly halving to 732 million by 2100. India will take its place.

The UK is predicted to peak at 75 million in 2063, and fall to 71 million by 2100.

The study projects:
■ The number of under-fives will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100.
■ The number of over 80-year-olds will soar from 141 million in 2017 to 866 million in 2100.

Prof Murray adds: "It will create enormous social change. It makes me worried because I have an eight-year-old daughter and I wonder what the world will be like."

Who pays tax in a massively aged world? Who pays for healthcare for the elderly? Who looks after the elderly? Will people still be able to retire from work?

Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, University College London (UCL), said: "If these predictions are even half accurate, migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option.

"To be successful we need a fundamental rethink of global politics.

Source

Welp here’s to not retiring until I’m 90.

[Niamh.]

I mean the Planet needs this so it can't be a bad thing

[Livia]

There are too many people in the world. If it keeps increasing like it has been we wouldn't be able to feed everyone. And while in developed countries' birth rate had been levelling out, birth rates in poor countries was still high.

It'd be nice if the Human race had a plan instead of lurching from one disaster to another.

[Smithy]

If COVID doesn’t get us all first!

[UserSince2005]

good, just dont be thinking you can rely on a state pension.