The human population is stabilizing - even shrinking?

[Brian G Turner]

Potentially good news for the planet - a new study suggests half the countries of the world have birth rates that show a population starting to decline: 'Remarkable' decline in fertility rates

On the one hand, that means continued aging populations in the West, which presents its own challenges.

But on the other, in a world where humans life unsustainably, perhaps the global population has either peaked or soon will do - meaning that within this century we may yet see the overall human population in decline to a more stable and sustainable number.

Thoughts?

 

[Stephen Palmer]

The stats on Japanese population are particularly stark.
But, then again, they are facing this.

 

[mosaix]

Stark warnings about a future British society not having a large enough workforce to sustain the retired element of its population continue to fall on deaf ears.

And it’s going to be interesting to see how the current economic model of continuous year-on-year growth, used by chancellor after chancellor, evolves over the next fifty years when there'll be year-on-year reduction in the workforce. Not that I’ll be around to see it.

I fear that both these issues veer toward ‘World Affairs’, so I’ll say no more.

 

[Harpo]

World Population Clock: 7.7 Billion People (2018) - Worldometers

71 million more people so far this year, which is more than the entire population of over 90% of nations.

 

[aThenian]

Aging populations may present some problems, but less than those posed by a continually increasing world population surely.

Robotics and AI are forecast to take away the need for many jobs.

I've never understood why people are always lamenting over Japan - they seem to do pretty well with their aging population by most standards of what makes for a stable, contented society.

 

[Lumens]

I hope I can work until I drop.

Just saying...

 

[Jo Zebedee]

It might give the planet a chance

 

[Daysman]

Can a global economy function with a falling or static population?

 

[Stephen Palmer]

No, not on the "perpetual growth with no limits" model...

 

[Danny McG]

It might give the planet a chance

*snort of derision*
"Yeah, right on, hippy!"

 

[Jo Zebedee]

*snort of derision*
"Yeah, right on, hippy!"

I have no issues with that

 

[Cathbad]

I hope I can work until I drop.

Just saying...

If I worked, I'd drop!!

 

[BAYLOR]

The stats on Japanese population are particularly stark.
But, then again, they are facing this.

That and other things suggest that Japan's future is eventual total societal collapse.

 

[scarpelius]

Human Terrain

neat tool to visualize the world population .

 

[Anthoney]

It makes me think of the George Carlin clip where the earth decides to get rid of us. To my dismay I can't keep Taylor Swift's song Shake it off from playing in my head when I see this.

 

[Danny McG]

I have no issues with that

Well played Jo, you didn't bite at my wind up!

 

[Stephen Palmer]

That and other things suggest that Japan's future is eventual total societal collapse.

Similar plot & theme for a novel I'm putting together, except not in Japan.
Pretty mind-boggling stuff though. We think we've got it bad in Britain... :/

 

[LordOfWizards]

World Population Clock: 7.7 Billion People (2018) - Worldometers

71 million more people so far this year, which is more than the entire population of over 90% of nations.

'

Ive been watching this for at least 5 years, and I've seen no decrease in the incremental growth of the population.

 

[aThenian]

That and other things suggest that Japan's future is eventual total societal collapse.

Oh yeah? Based on what? You're predicting the entire male population is going to stop leaving their rooms?
You can extrapolate any trend and predict disaster if you want, but it doesn't make it likely.

If the Japanese find their ageing population is a problem, they have many potential solutions. They can increase participation (and reduce discrimination) for women in the workforce. They can invest in robotics/AI. They can permit more immigration (currently extremely low).

Not sure countries with rapidly increasing populations in an era of climate change will have the same flexibility.

 

[BAYLOR]

Oh yeah? Based on what? You're predicting the entire male population is going to stop leaving their rooms?
You can extrapolate any trend and predict disaster if you want, but it doesn't make it likely.

If the Japanese find their ageing population is a problem, they have many potential solutions. They can increase participation (and reduce discrimination) for women in the workforce. They can invest in robotics/AI. They can permit more immigration (currently extremely low).

Not sure countries with rapidly increasing populations in an era of climate change will have the same flexibility.

It bugs you that im making an extrapolation ? Give me break ! Did you happened to pay attention to the fact that I used the word Suggests? Japan has Issues and serious ones and not just fact that some men the ae not leaving their room.

Japan could mitigate the problem of falling birthrate by increasing immigration , But so far , they are unwilling to do that now or in the forceable future.