Global Population Trends

[Buck_Mulligan]

I was unaware that Germany had surpassed Japan as the world's 3rd largest economy. Last week it was announced that California has now also passed Japan to become the 4th biggest in the world
This is a direct result of the declining Japanese population and workforce. Too few workers supporting too many seniors reduces productivity.
Same fate is in store for many other countries that are below the 2.1 replacement rate.

At current rates California will overtake Germany in about 6-8 years. Should be noted that both Germany and California will be overtaken by India before then.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/25/business/california-japan-economy-tariffs-intl-hnk/index.htm

[Guybrush]

I was unaware that Germany had surpassed Japan as the world's 3rd largest economy. Last week it was announced that California has now also passed Japan to become the 4th biggest in the world
This is a direct result of the declining Japanese population and workforce. Too few workers supporting too many seniors reduces productivity.
Same fate is in store for many other countries that are below the 2.1 replacement rate.

At current rates California will overtake Germany in about 6-8 years. Should be noted that both Germany and California will be overtaken by India before then.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/25/business/california-japan-economy-tariffs-intl-hnk/index.htm

On a micro level, I see that planning for this future has reached our municipality's administration who have, among other things, began to think about repurposing buildings that house services for children / youngsters (like kindergartens) to instead support the elderly.

[Buck_Mulligan]

On a micro level, I see that planning for this future has reached our municipality's administration who have, among other things, began to think about repurposing buildings that house services for children / youngsters (like kindergartens) to instead support the elderly.

They are probably well ahead of the curve compared to most others. OTOH, Norway at 1.42 is below the 1.5 level from which it is difficult to recover. France and Ireland are highest at 1.6, while Spain and Italy at 1.2 are the lowest in EU.