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That wouldn't capture the main driver of population decline for most these countries.

Seems like the primary cause in most cases is /not/ the fact that deaths are outpacing births but, instead, that emigration is outpacing immigration.

Most of these countries are low-income nations in the EU whose workforce is now leaving to flock to higher-income countries.

We're basically seeing a brain drain in EU countries that need that workforce most to drive future growth. One of the unintended consequences of EU membership.



> are low-income nations in the EU whose workforce

This is true, but it is localized and a one-time shock.

Portugal, Italy, Greece have had sub replacement fertility for 40 years already.

China, Japan, South Korea - urbanized, industrialized, economically growing countries.

The generally accepted causes are urbanization, reduced religion, education of women, which to re-enforce each other.




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