In this article, we will take a look at the 5 countries with the negative population growth in the world. If you want to read our discussion on the population trends, you can go directly to the 15 Countries with the Negative Population Growth in the World.
5. Estonia
Population Growth Rate: -0.74%
Estonia, a northern European country, sits along the shores of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. Estonia’s population has dipped to 1.3 million, reflecting a 0.28% decline in the past year. This continues a downward trend that began after 1990 when Estonia lost 15% of its population due to low birth rates and emigration. The country’s population fell below the 1970s levels by December 2011.
4. Romania
Population Growth Rate: -1.01%
Romania, a southeastern European country, has experienced a steady decline in population since 1990, when it was home to an estimated 23.21 million people. This decrease is attributed to three main factors: high death rates, a low birth rate, and significant emigration. The drop in fertility is particularly linked to Romanian women pursuing higher education and entering the workforce in greater numbers. Romania is at the fourth position on our list of countries with the most negative population growth in the world.
3. Poland
Population Growth Rate: -1.03%
Poland, a prosperous European Union member with over 38 million citizens, faces a demographic challenge. Despite being the fifth most populous member state, Poland struggles with one of the world’s lowest birth rates. This year, births declined to a post-war low of 290,975, marking the 11th consecutive year in the country when deaths outnumber births. This trend has caused the population to shrink by nearly a million, with low birth rates and continued emigration being the main contributors.
2. Lithuania
Population Growth Rate: -1.04%
Lithuania is a Baltic nation bordering the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The current population of Lithuania is just 2,692,798, which reflects a 0.94% decrease from the previous year. While Lithuania’s population saw growth in recent years due to increased immigration from Ukraine and Belarus and even experienced a slight increase during 2005–2009, the birth rate began to decline by 2020. The country recorded an annual average population growth rate of -1.04% in 2023.
1. Latvia
Population Growth Rate: -1.13%
Latvia is a European country situated between Lithuania and Estonia on the Baltic Sea. Over the years, Latvia has made economic progress, but with improving quality of life, the birth rate has tended to decline. For Latvia, the demographic slump is quite steep, with the country’s population expected to drop below 1.5 million by 2045, according to predictions from Eurostat.
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