Story

Is depopulation a myth or something to be aware of?

Birth rates are falling around of the world. Even top performing economic countries fail to revive their population. This five-chart story shows why the issue fits the Blindsided topic: the effects are slow, but the consequences for future workers, care systems and economies may be serious.

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1. The baby boom era is nearing

2. Low fertility is now a global pattern

3. The lowest-fertility countries are also the oldest

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4. Fewer people are being added each year

5. Once fertility falls, recovery is difficult

References

United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. (2024). World Population Prospects 2024: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950–2100. United Nations.

World Bank. (2026). Fertility rate, total (births per woman) [SP.DYN.TFRT.IN]. World Development Indicators.