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You know how everyone's always talking about overpopulation? Well, get this: experts are now predicting the world population will actually start shrinking in just over 50 years!
I know, right? It seems wild. I was listening to this podcast, Side Note, and they were discussing a new research paper that predicts the Earth's population will hit almost 10 billion by 2064. That's a lot of new faces. But then, get this, they think it will shrink to 8.8 billion by 2100.
Why the decrease? It's not about climate change, as you might think. It's mainly about changing demographics. Many countries are seeing their populations age rapidly, with fewer babies being born.
Take Japan, for example. They're predicting a population plunge from 128 million to 60 million by 2100. That's almost a 50% drop! China's also expected to see a decline, potentially dipping below a billion people.
The researchers pointed out something really interesting. They said that for wealthy countries with low birth rates, the best way to keep their populations and economies stable is through open immigration policies and family-friendly social programs.
But here's the kicker: they also warned that some countries might react to shrinking populations with policies that restrict access to reproductive healthcare. Can you imagine? It's a scary thought.
This whole topic just highlights how important it is to think about the future and how we can create a sustainable world for everyone. It's not just about climate change; it's about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
What do you think about these population predictions? Let me know in the comments!
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