In Europe, City Planners Confront Shrinking Populations

"As Europe follows the population trajectory of Japan, with persistently low birthrates and the baby boom generation preparing to retire, governments are already facing serious - and costly - demographic challenges...Population experts say Europe is facing three interrelated challenges: Rural areas and small cities are emptying out, the Continent is aging rapidly, and Europeans, except the French and British, are not having nearly enough children to replace the current population."