Kyodo News Cites Research Team from University of Washington
Population Ranking Drops from 10th to 38th
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A study has revealed that Japan's population is expected to decrease to 60 million, about half of its current population, in 80 years due to low birth rates and aging.
According to population projections reported on the 28th by Kyodo News citing researchers from the University of Washington, Japan's population is expected to decline from the current 126 million to 60 million by 2100, 80 years from now.
Accordingly, Japan's ranking by population size is projected to fall from 10th place currently to 38th place in 80 years.
The researchers also predicted that China, currently the most populous country, will see its population halved by 2100, losing its top spot to India and dropping to third place.
Meanwhile, Nigeria in Africa is expected to rise to become the world's second most populous country.
The world population is analyzed to increase from the current 7.7 billion to a peak of 9.7 billion in 2064, then decrease to 8.8 billion by 2100.
The researchers calculated the 2100 population to be 2.1 billion less than the United Nations projections, assuming increased educational opportunities for women leading to fewer unintended pregnancies and a continued low birthrate trend.
On the other hand, based on gross domestic product (GDP), the United States, currently the largest economy, is predicted to be overtaken by China in 2035 but to regain the top spot by 2100 due to China's population decline.
Japan's economic power, currently third after the United States and China, is expected to drop one rank to fourth by 2100, overtaken by India, while the economic status of European countries such as Germany and France, which are within the top 10, is generally expected to be maintained.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
