American decline: Depopulation is possible — and could cause a collapse

Depopulation — unremitting, long-term population decline — promises to be the 21st century’s most important demographic trend.

After centuries of seemingly unstoppable increase, world population is on track to peak soon.

The United Nations’ latest projections envision depopulation starting as soon as 2052 — just a generation hence.

Depopulation is no future fantasy. A growing number of countries are in prolonged population decline.

China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan — all already depopulators, as are Russia and eight of the European Union 27.

By UN estimates, in fact, more than 50 countries and territories around the world had fewer births than deaths in 2023. 3

For such “net mortality” societies, only immigration can prevent national-population shrinkage.

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