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20. Italy -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.1%

Italy is facing one of the most severe population declines in Europe, driven by consistently low birth rates (1.29 children per woman) and an aging population.

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Italy -

Economic factors, such as high youth unemployment and the expensive cost of raising children aggravate this low fertility rate.

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19. Cuba -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.3%

The fertility rate (1.7 children per woman) in Cuba has been below replacement level for decades, and it's often attributed to economic hardships and limited housing.

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Cuba -

On top of that, the ongoing economic crisis and political factors have spurred an emigration wave, naturally contributing to the country's declining population.

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18. North Macedonia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.9%

North Macedonia has one of the lowest fertility rates (1.3 children per woman) in the Balkans, which places it among countries with shrinking populations. Then there are also the economic challenges that encourage young people to emigrate.

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17. Portugal -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 10.9%

Portugal's low fertility rate (1.40 births per woman) and aging population have been the biggest factors in placing it among countries facing population reduction. Economic instability led to a surge in emigration, with younger and skilled individuals seeking opportunities abroad.

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16. Georgia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 11.8%

Turmoil due to civil unrest and economic struggles has resulted in a substantial emigration from Georgia, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s.

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15. Poland -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 12%

Low birth rates (1.38 births per woman) and continued emigration, especially to other European countries, are the two main reasons for Poland's population decline.

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14. Hungary -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 12.3%

Hungary has also seen a rapid population decline, which is largely due to a high rate of emigration among the young and educated.

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13. Estonia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 12.7%

While Estonia has one of the highest fertility rates in Eastern Europe (1.58 children per woman), it still falls below the replacement level. High emigration has meant a significant number of young people leaving.

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12. Greece -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 13.4%

Greece's population decline is exacerbated by the financial crisis that began in 2009.

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Greece -

The crisis led to high unemployment rates, which in turn prompted a wave of emigration and a negative impact on birth rates (1.34 births per woman).

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11. Romania -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 15.5%

Since joining the European Union in 2007, Romania has witnessed significant emigration to Western Europe. This surge in emigration is compounded by a fertility rate (1.6 children per woman) that has fallen below the replacement level.

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10. Albania -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 15.8%

With an aging population and a decline in births (1.6 children per woman), Albania also has a shrinking population. Emigration is also a contributing factor.

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9. Japan -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 16.3%

Japan has the highest percentage of aging population in the world, with 29.1% of its people currently aged 65 or older. Moreover, the country's fertility rate is 1.3 children per woman.

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With the growing economic pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle, people in Japan are generally discouraged from expanding their families.

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8. Moldova -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 16.7%

Largely due to economic factors, Moldova's population decline is one of the most severe in Eastern Europe. The World Bank estimated that as of 2025 approximately a quarter of the nation's working-age population lived abroad. This mass emigration has resulted in a declining birth rate too (1.77 births per woman).

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7. Croatia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18%

After joining the European Union in 2013, Croatia has experienced a substantial emigration of its population. This has also resulted in low birth rates (1.48 births per woman).

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6. Bosnia and Herzegovina -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18.2%

The Balkan nation's population decline has deep roots in the long-term aftermath of the '90s conflict.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina -

The war resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement, leaving lasting scars on the demographic structure.

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5. Serbia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 18.9%

Serbia's population decline is largely attributed to economic uncertainties.

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Serbia -

Many of Serbia's highly educated and skilled workers have left the country to find better job opportunities, and this has also been coupled with low fertility rates (1.48 births per woman).

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4. Ukraine -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 19.5%

Ukraine's population decline has been significantly influenced by the ongoing conflict and the annexation of Crimea.

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Ukraine -

These geopolitical issues have resulted in displacement and loss of life, directly impacting the country’s demographics.

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3. Latvia -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 21.6%

Latvia has lost about one-fifth of its population since joining the European Union in 2004.

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Latvia -

Latvia's population loss is caused by economic migration and low birth rates (1.55 births per woman).

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2. Lithuania -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 22.1%

Lithuania's economic factors, particularly after joining the European Union, have driven a youth exodus. Furthermore, the nation's birth rate, which hovers around 1.6, and its aging population contribute to this decline.

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1. Bulgaria -

Population decline between 2020 and 2050: 22.5%

Bulgaria has one of the world's fastest-shrinking populations, primarily attributed to a high death rate and a low birth rate.

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Bulgaria -

Furthermore, Bulgaria faces challenges in keeping its younger population due to a lack of economic opportunities.

Sources: (Euronews) (CNN) (Visual Capitalist) 

See also: These cities have the best public transportation in the world

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