Current event 10: Population growth bomb

December 16th, 2015

Current Unit of study: Unit 2

The population growth bomb exploding in Ethiopia 

Synopsis

Since 1994/95, the age structure of Ethiopia has been constantly changing, and since then the growth bomb has been ticking as well. This has many causes, access to education, jobs and housing being one of the many reasons. But as of recently, Ethiopia has started to experience an increase in its working age population in association to its dependent members of the population. Thankfully, this increase is very balanced, almost at knife edge since the early 2000's. Now, thanks to the sudden eruption of the population, Ethiopia's percentage of young adults has increased to 51% meaning that the country has many more citizens working rather than citizens relying on few who are still able to work.

Analysis

Ethiopia has thankfully become more and more stronger, and that's all thanks to this sudden eruption in the population. With this movement, Ethiopia has a greater number of people within the working age than a dependent population. This has only benefits, as we've seen before with countries with more of a graying than dependent population struggle to keep their economy and work force strong, young and up to certain demands.

Current event 9: Japan's baby shortage

December 3rd, 2015

Current Unit of study: Unit 2

Baby Shortage Imperils Japan's Economy


Synopsis
According to Government officials, more than 1 million babies were born last year in Japan. This so happens to be the lowest figure on record. This shows that the country has made little, if any effort in their battle against unfavorable demographic trends. Aside from this, Japan's health ministry estimated that 1,269,000 people died in 2014 meaning that the country's natural population had declined by 268,000. This rapidly shrinking population is extremely alarming. Some factors to blame include the declining number of marriages, the number of women holding jobs, and Japanese immigration. Should the population continue to decline in numbers, that would threaten to limit economic growth. Some are even going as far to suggest that Japan's population could shrink by a third over the next five years.

Analysis
Japan's population is taking a huge blow due to many different factors. So Japan's current situation is looking, shall we say, not good. Without the birth of more children, Japan's graying population holds most of the power. This is because the more older people there are, the more of a dependent population the country will have. This will lead to all of these elderly citizens to rely on those who are still able to work. And lets face it, that's not many. Japan's natural increase rate could even decline by a third over the course of the next 5 years. Meaning, the country's economy will suffer greatly. Of course, some of the major causes include the decline of marriages, education of women, and Japan's growing number of immigrants. Should this troublesome trend continue however, Japan's population pyramid with grow alarming in old age, and remain sparse with younger ages.

Link to the original article:
http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/02/news/economy/japan-baby-shortage/