Sean King

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San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Europe's Future

Guardian: The survey predicts that Britain's population by 2060 will increase by 25% from the current figure of just over 61 million to almost 77 million.

Germany is the biggest country in the EU, with more than 82 million people, but it is likely to shed almost 12 million by 2060, says the report. The widely praised family policies and support of working women in France means that the French population will rise to almost 72 million by 2060.

With the British birth rate now at its highest in a generation - 1.91 children per woman according to the Office for National Statistics last week - the UK has less to fear about any "generation wars" brought on by the "demographic timebomb" of ageing and shrinking populations where those in work cannot support the pension needs of retired citizens.


Declining population is probably this biggest issue facing the West and Russia over the next century. Fortunately, the UK and that US are positioned for modest growth thanks to immigration and reasonable birth rates.

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