depopulaatioon

Depopulation, sometimes spelled depopulaatioon in informal use, refers to the decline in the number of people living in a given area over time. It can result from natural decrease, where births fall short of deaths, and from net out-migration, where more people leave than arrive. In many cases, depopulation occurs when fertility is low while emigration or international migration reduces the resident population.

Causes of depopulation include persistent low fertility, aging populations, urbanization, and changing economic conditions that affect family size and mobility. Policy choices, disasters, and conflict can accelerate declines, while migration can offset or amplify them depending on the balance of inflows and outflows.

The effects of depopulation are often multifaceted. An aging population increases the dependency ratio, potentially placing a greater burden on healthcare, pensions, and social services. Labor shortages can slow economic growth and reduce demand for housing, schools, and local infrastructure. Regions experiencing depopulation may face shrinking tax bases and deteriorating services, though some areas pursue renewal through targeted immigration, regional investment, or new economic activities.

Key indicators used to study depopulation include crude birth rate, total fertility rate, life expectancy, aging index, and the dependency ratio, as well as net migration rate and population growth rate. Projections rely on demographic models to forecast future trajectories and to assess regional differences.

Regional patterns vary, but rural areas in many high-income countries show persistent depopulation, while some cities grow due to immigration and job opportunities. Policy responses focus on supporting families, attracting and retaining migrants, and fostering regional development to mitigate negative impacts.

See also: depopulation, population decline, aging population, migration.