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Japan and Russia Face Alarming Population Declines

4/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Japan's population plummeted by almost 900,000 in the year leading to October 2023, driven by a dismal fertility rate of 1.2 births per woman. With 30% of its citizens aged 65 or older, the nation grapples with a looming demographic crisis. Meanwhile, Russia faces its own challenges, recording a historic low birth rate that resulted in a natural decline of 119,000 people.

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Story summary

Japan's population plummeted by almost 900,000 in the year leading to October 2023, driven by a dismal fertility rate of 1.2 births per woman. With 30% of its citizens aged 65 or older, the nation grapples with a looming demographic crisis. Meanwhile, Russia faces its own challenges, recording a historic low birth rate that resulted in a natural decline of 119,000 people.