The tipping point: what happens when deaths outnumber births?

"In Japan, companies are now specializing in cleaning the apartments of elderly people who have died alone and gone undiscovered for weeks or months, reflecting a growing demographic issue."

"In Italy, depopulating villages are selling homes for 1 euro to attract new residents and maintain essential services, highlighting the urgency of demographic shifts."

"The latest projections from the Office for National Statistics suggest that deaths will outnumber births in the UK every year from 2026 onwards, driven by falling fertility rates."

"Life expectancy has been rising since the late 18th century, while fertility has been declining since the late 19th century, indicating a long-term demographic transformation."

In many developed countries, demographic changes are evident as deaths outnumber births. Japan and Italy face unique challenges, with cleaning services for deceased elderly and homes sold for just 1 euro. The UK anticipates a similar trend, with projections indicating deaths will exceed births from 2026 due to declining fertility and an aging population. Life expectancy has increased since the late 18th century, while fertility rates have been falling since the late 19th century, leading to significant population changes across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Read at www.theguardian.com