Tokyo implements four-day workweek to boost record low fertility rates

Largely due to economic factors, Moldova's population decline is one of the most severe in Eastern Europe. The World Bank estimated that as of 2025 approximately a quarter of the nation's working-age population lived abroad. This mass emigration has resulted in a declining birth rate too (1.77 births per woman).

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7. Croatia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18%

After joining the European Union in 2013, Croatia has experienced a substantial emigration of its population. This has also resulted in low birth rates (1.48 births per woman).

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6. Bosnia and Herzegovina -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18.2%

The Balkan nation's population decline has deep roots in the long-term aftermath of the '90s conflict.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina -

The war resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement, leaving lasting scars on the demographic structure.

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5. Serbia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18.9%

Serbia's population decline is largely attributed to economic uncertainties.

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Serbia -

Many of Serbia's highly educated and skilled workers have left the country to find better job opportunities, and this has also been coupled with low fertility rates (1.48 births per woman).

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4. Ukraine -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 19.5%

Ukraine's population decline has been significantly influenced by the ongoing conflict and the annexation of Crimea.

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Ukraine -

These geopolitical issues have resulted in displacement and loss of life, directly impacting the country’s demographics.

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3. Latvia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 21.6%

Latvia has lost about one-fifth of its population since joining the European Union in 2004.

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Latvia -

Latvia's population loss is caused by economic migration and low birth rates (1.55 births per woman).

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2. Lithuania -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 22.1%

Lithuania's economic factors, particularly after joining the European Union, have driven a youth exodus. Furthermore, the nation's birth rate, which hovers around 1.6, and its aging population contribute to this decline.

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1. Bulgaria -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 22.5%

Bulgaria has one of the world's fastest-shrinking populations, primarily attributed to a high death rate and a low birth rate.

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Bulgaria -

Furthermore, Bulgaria faces challenges in keeping its younger population due to a lack of economic opportunities.

Sources: (Euronews) (CNN) (Visual Capitalist)

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20. Italy -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.1%

Italy is facing one of the most severe population declines in Europe, driven by consistently low birth rates (1.29 children per woman) and an aging population.

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Italy -

Economic factors, such as high youth unemployment and the expensive cost of raising children aggravate this low fertility rate.

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19. Cuba -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.3%

The fertility rate (1.7 children per woman) in Cuba has been below replacement level for decades, and it's often attributed to economic hardships and limited housing.

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Cuba -

On top of that, the ongoing economic crisis and political factors have spurred an emigration wave, naturally contributing to the country's declining population.

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18. North Macedonia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.9%

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17. Portugal -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.9%

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16. Georgia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 11.8%

Turmoil due to civil unrest and economic struggles has resulted in a substantial emigration from Georgia, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s.

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15. Poland -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 12%

Low birth rates (1.38 births per woman) and continued emigration, especially to other European countries, are the two main reasons for Poland's population decline.

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14. Hungary -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 12.3%

Hungary has also seen a rapid population decline, which is largely due to a high rate of emigration among the young and educated.

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13. Estonia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 12.7%

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12. Greece -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 13.4%

Greece's population decline is exacerbated by the financial crisis that began in 2009.

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Greece -

The crisis led to high unemployment rates, which in turn prompted a wave of emigration and a negative impact on birth rates (1.34 births per woman).

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11. Romania -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 15.5%

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10. Albania -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 15.8%

With an aging population and a decline in births (1.6 children per woman), Albania also has a shrinking population. Emigration is also a contributing factor.

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9. Japan -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 16.3%

Japan has the highest percentage of aging population in the world, with 29.1% of its people currently aged 65 or older. Moreover, the country's fertility rate is 1.3 children per woman.

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Japan -

With the growing economic pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle, it has made it hard for people in Japan to expand their families.

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8. Moldova -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 16.7%

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7. Croatia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18%

After joining the European Union in 2013, Croatia has experienced a substantial emigration of its population. This has also resulted in low birth rates (1.48 births per woman).

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6. Bosnia and Herzegovina -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18.2%

The Balkan nation's population decline has deep roots in the long-term aftermath of the '90s conflict.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina -

The war resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement, leaving lasting scars on the demographic structure.

Shutterstock

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5. Serbia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18.9%

Serbia's population decline is largely attributed to economic uncertainties.

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Serbia -

Many of Serbia's highly educated and skilled workers have left the country to find better job opportunities, and this has also been coupled with low fertility rates (1.48 births per woman).

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4. Ukraine -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 19.5%

Ukraine's population decline has been significantly influenced by the ongoing conflict and the annexation of Crimea.

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Ukraine -

These geopolitical issues have resulted in displacement and loss of life, directly impacting the country’s demographics.

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3. Latvia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 21.6%

Latvia has lost about one-fifth of its population since joining the European Union in 2004.

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Latvia -

Latvia's population loss is caused by economic migration and low birth rates (1.55 births per woman).

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2. Lithuania -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 22.1%

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1. Bulgaria -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 22.5%

Bulgaria has one of the world's fastest-shrinking populations, primarily attributed to a high death rate and a low birth rate.

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Bulgaria -

Furthermore, Bulgaria faces challenges in keeping its younger population due to a lack of economic opportunities.

Sources: (Euronews) (CNN) (Visual Capitalist)

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Tokyo implements four-day workweek to boost record low fertility rates

The measure impacts Tokyo Metropolitan Government employees

06/12/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE World

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced that starting in April, it will be introducing a four-day workweek for government employees, in a bid to boost fertility rates, which are at an all-time low.

On December 4, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced the policy and explained that it was being introduced so that people wouldn’t have to choose between having children and a career. In line with this, the government has also introduced a policy that will give employees with children in grades one to three the option to have a more flexible working policy.

Japan’s fertility rate has been falling for several years, and reached a record low in June 2024. With only 727,277 births recorded in 2023, the country now officially has a population crisis. This has been attributed to an increased cost of living, a demanding work culture, and, in particular, long working hours that make raising children and having a career increasingly difficult.

But Japan isn’t the only country facing a population crisis. It's projected that by 2050 the populations of 61 countries or areas will decrease by at least 1%, largely due to low fertility and high emigration rates. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out if your country is in the 'top' 20 when it comes to decreasing populations.