Cuba is experiencing an unprecedented exodus of its population, with over a million people leaving the island between 2022 and 2023. This mass migration, driven by a severe economic downturn and government crackdown on dissent, has resulted in a significant decline in population and poses a threat to Cuba’s future stability.
The Japanese government is holding consultations with young people to understand their views on marriage and the factors affecting their decisions, as the country grapples with a declining population and a low birth rate. The government aims to find ways to support young people in finding partners and address concerns about the high cost of living, limited job opportunities, and work culture that impact marriage and family formation.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has unveiled a series of measures aimed at increasing the birth rate and curbing immigration, including lifetime tax exemption for mothers with at least four children and subsidies for larger families to purchase bigger cars. The move comes amid a declining birth rate in Hungary and other European countries.
In Japan, where traditional marriage rates are declining, a new relationship trend called “friendship marriage” is gaining traction. This alternative marital arrangement is based on shared interests and values, rather than love or romance. Couples in friendship marriages cohabitate, often entering into legal unions, but do not engage in romantic or sexual relationships. They may have relationships with others based on mutual agreement and may choose to have children through artificial insemination. The trend is particularly prevalent among asexual individuals and homosexuals, who face societal and legal barriers to marriage in Japan.
A new map of the U.S. population shows which states have experienced the most significant growth and decline in population over the past four years. The data, sourced from the State Data Center, indicates that Texas has seen the largest increase, gaining over 470,000 people since 2022. Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia also experienced notable growth. Conversely, New York and California have lost the most population, with New York losing around 100,000 and California losing 75,000. Experts attribute the population shifts to factors such as domestic migration, job opportunities, and cost of living.
A recent study by the Population Strategy Council (PSC) in Japan has revealed that more than 40% of Japan’s municipalities are at risk of disappearing due to a sharp decline in population caused by a chronically low birth rate. The study identified 744 municipalities at risk, primarily due to a projected 50% decrease in the population of women between the ages of 20 and 39, which is the typical childbearing age. This population decline poses a significant threat as it could lead to a lack of future generations and a decline in the workforce, potentially impacting Japan’s economic growth and sustainability.
A recent study by a private-sector expert panel indicates that over 40% of Japanese municipalities could witness a significant decline in their young female resident populations by 2050. The study estimated that 744 municipalities, considered as “risk of disappearing,” may face challenges in maintaining essential services due to a sharp reduction in women between the ages of 20 and 30, who are considered a key demographic for childbearing. This projection, while an improvement from previous estimations, underscores the concerning trend of Japan’s falling birth rate and emphasizes the need for local and central government interventions to address this issue.
