Some developed countries in the world are expected to lose half of their population, in a development that might seem impossible while the world population continues its climb toward 8 billion.
"The world's population is likely to peak at 9.7 billion in 2064, and then decline to about 8.8 billion by the end of the century," reports Amy Woodyat, sharing news from a study by researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington's School of Medicine.
"By 2100, 183 of 195 countries will not have fertility rates required to maintain the current population, with a projected 2.1 births per woman," according to Woodyat. "Some 23 countries -- including Japan, Thailand, Italy, and Spain -- will see populations shrink by more than 50%, researchers said."
One exception to the trend, according to the projections, will be sub-Saharan Africa, where the population could triple by 2100.
The changing birth rate and expected population decline is credited to better education and access to birth control for women. The consequences of a worldwide population decline could include declining economic growth and "negative implications" for labor forces and social support systems, according to Woodyat's explanation of the study. "The authors suggest that population decline could be offset by immigration, and that countries with liberal immigration policies will be better able to both maintain population size and support economic growth -- even as fertility falls."
More coverage on the new study is also available from The Guardian.
Related on Planetizen: "What Happened to the Population Bomb?" (June 2015)
Read the full story: World's population likely to shrink after 50 years
Depopulation Projected in Thousands of US Cities
Many small and mid-sized cities could see a decline before 2100.
California Decline: Population Likely Peaked Three Years Ago
A July projection from the state's Demographic Research Unit indicates that the population in 2060 may be about what it is today.
Census: U.S. Population Growing Slower Than Any Point Since the Nation's Founding
The pandemic has added increased mortality to decreasing birth rates and decreasing international immigration.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
LAX SkyLink opening delayed again, contractor won’t commit to new deadline
The project was supposed to open its doors to the public in 2023.
Caltrain may slash over one-third of its stations
If Bay Area voters reject two transit tax measures, Caltrain, BART and AC Transit will see steep service cuts.
A 'dangerous' precedent: North Carolina successfully pressures communities into voting for toll roads
Two mayors resigned from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization after it voted in favor of the toll roads.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello