Consequences of Europe’s Declining Population

The Times reports that Europe (including Britain) is facing a “demographic bomb” (January 20, 2020). For generations, fertility rates in the region have been falling and life expectancy has been increasing. But as the average age of the population in most European nations is increasing, working-age populations are shrinking! “At 43, the median age in the continent is now 12 years older than the rest of the world,” writes columnist Charles Bremner. “According to the latest United Nations report, the population will start shrinking from next year. Although Europe receives more immigrants than it loses, the UN says its population will fall by 5 percent by 2050.”

By 2050, the Baltic states could have 10 percent fewer people. Since 2008, Bulgaria’s workforce has shrunk by 6 percent, and it is expected to decline by an additional third. Spain and Italy could lose 25 percent of their workforce by 2050! Experts realize that Europe’s declining workforce will impact its economic and social stability, especially when immigration is factored in. Ultimately, incomes will begin to drop as populations decline.

Europe’s population decline will highlight the need for a qualified labor force, and that could bring a demand for more immigrants. Such demographic shifts could bring more foreign influence, with the potential to destabilize these European countries. Bible prophecy speaks of a coming time when many of the Israelite-descended populations around the globe will be taken into captivity, subject to rulers of other nations (Deuteronomy 28:41–48). Could Europe’s declining populations help set the stage for future prophetic events? For more information on this topic, be sure to watch our Tomorrow’s World telecast “The Beast of Revelation.”